The short-winded answer is, yes. In 2010, the FDA officially approved Onabotulinumtoxin A, also known as Botox-A for the treatment of chronic migraine. Chronic migraines can be defined as recurring headaches that last more than 15 days out of the month for more than three months. Migraines are quite common as the condition affects a large number of people and, if you suffer from these, quite debilitating.You may be wondering, how do Botox fillers actually help treat migraines? Let’s get into it.
Botox reduces muscle contractions and helps stop neurotransmitters from sending pain signals to your brain, causing headaches and migraines. This would overall reduce the pain caused by migraine and patients can enjoy their lives again without the constant debilitating pain. However, as it is a cosmetic treatment, it is only a temporary relief, so patients should expect this to be an ongoing treatment requiring an injection every 12 weeks, possibly even sooner. It may even take several weeks to experience migraine relief, even after the injection. It varies on the patient and the severity of their condition.
Botox appointments are often very quick and are done right in your doctor’s office, taking about 15-3o minutes. While you don’t need to do much to prepare for the procedure, your doctor may advise that you do not certain medication prior to the injection. These medications can include anti-inflammatories or pain-reducing, including aspirin and ibuprofen. During your appointment, your doctor may numb your skin with a topical anesthetic. You may receive several shots during the procedure in the areas on your head and neck where you feel pain. Again, this process is often very quick and will be done before you know it.
After the procedure, side effects are often generally mild and will go away within two days. Some of these side effects may include:
Your doctor will discuss these side effects with you after your procedure and will often recommend over-the-counter medications to help relieve the discomfort that you will feel after the treatment.
If you suffer from chronic migraines and haven’t found relief from other medications, Botox may be the help that you need! We are excited to be able to offer Botox treatment in addition to cosmetic dentistry for our patients at Advanced Cosmetic Dentistry in Park City, Salt Lake City, Heber, Midway, Duchesne, Vernal, UT, and surrounding areas. To schedule an appointment or request more information about Botox or any other treatment, please give us a call at 435-503-8841 or complete our online contact form.