Many people still think of Botox as a cosmetic treatment only, when in fact the neurotoxin is used to treat many health concerns. Botox was FDA approved for migraine in 2010, and is also commonly used to treat muscle spasm, hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating), bruxism (tooth grinding) and more. As with all medications, FDA approval doesn’t mean Botox works on every person with migraine headaches. If you’re considering Botox for migraine, here’s how to tell if it’s likely to work for you:
Are your migraine headaches really tension headaches? In this case, Botox may not work for you. Many people suffer from both migraines and tension headaches. Botox can help by giving you two or more additional headache-free days per month.
Do you have a headache right now? Botox isn’t intended to make your current headache go away. Botox is considered a preventive treatment to limit the incidence (reduce the number) of migraines long term, while the neurotoxin remains active.
Will side effects affect you? Allergan, the maker of Botox, found that less than 10 percent of people have side effects from treatment. The most common side effect noted was neck pain. Neck pain, however, may be a sign that you have chosen an inexperienced injector. There are other, rare, side effects that you should discuss with your doctor before undergoing Botox treatment for migraines.
Are you worried about bruising? The chance of bruising can be reduced by choosing an expert Los Angeles Botox doctor familiar with using Botox for migraines treatment. In addition, following doctor’s orders to avoid aspirin, Vitamin E supplements and certain other medications before treatment helps prevent bruising.
Are you willing to stick with it? It may take up to 9 months for Botox to effectively diminish migraines. If treatment hasn’t produced results for you in that time, reevaluate it with your doctor. You might try other methods in addition to, or instead of, Botox, such as yoga, magnesium supplements, acupuncture or daily prescription of oral medications.
Can you afford it? You can check with your insurance company, since the treatment is FDA approved. If you don’t have migraines regularly, Botox treatment might be impractical.
To learn more about whether Botox for migraines is right for you, please call us at 323 525 1516 or visit us online at www.YourLaserSkinCare.com.
