If you’re looking for the best dermatologist in your city, be sure to check out our list! Our team of experts is comprised of veteran dermatologists who know their stuff. Migraine pain can be a debilitating and frustrating condition that makes it difficult to carry out everyday tasks like going to work or school.
Thankfully, there are treatments available that can reduce migraine symptoms and even prevent them from happening. One such solution is Botox injections.
What is Botox?
If you have a persistent skin condition, it is recommended to schedule an appointment with a dermatologist to receive a proper diagnosis and treatment plan. Botox is an injection that helps reduce headaches and other pain symptoms in those suffering from chronic migraine. It may also provide temporary relief of chronic neck pain or muscle spasms caused by other neurological conditions.
Migraines occur when nerves and blood vessels in your head and neck swell, releasing chemicals that cause pain, sensitivity to light or sound, as well as other symptoms. Migraines can be a severe and debilitating ailment.
Botox is an FDA-approved treatment for chronic migraine that may reduce headache frequency and intensity, though it cannot provide complete eradication of the disorder.
How do Botox Injections Work?
If you suffer from migraine headaches that last more than 15 days a month and cause throbbing, sensitivity to light and sound, nausea or vomiting, Botox may be an effective solution for you. Doctors usually suggest these injections when other preventive medications have not worked.
Botox injections block chemical signals sent by your nerves that cause pain by paralyzing muscles and preventing them from contracting.
Can Botox Injections Help Relieve Your Pain?
If you’re searching for a way to reduce the pain of migraines, neck or backaches, spasticity, myofascial pain, neuropathy or other uncomfortable conditions, Botox could be your answer. These injectables come from botulinum toxin and offer a minimally invasive solution to treat various kinds of discomfort.
Doctors believe the botulinum toxin inhibits chemicals sent from your brain that send pain signals. They don’t know why, but it appears to stop these signals reaching nerve endings around the head and neck.
Typically, you’ll receive 31 injections (totaling up to 155 units) across specific sites on your head and neck every 12 weeks. Your doctor may also prescribe additional preventive medications or rescue drugs in addition to these.
Are Botox Injections Safe?
Migraines are a serious headache disorder that causes intense head pain and can drastically restrict daily activities. Fortunately, there are various treatments available for migraines.
One way to treat migraines is by blocking the release of neurotransmitters in your brain (neuroblockers). Botox blocks these neurotransmitters from reaching nerve endings, which may reduce migraine attacks in frequency.
Botox injections are administered into specific muscle areas of your head and neck by a healthcare professional, each treatment consisting of 31 injections totaling 155 units across seven key locations on your skull.
Are Botox Injections Covered by Insurance?
Botox has long been a go-to injectable to smooth away wrinkles. But it also has medical uses; such as treating chronic migraines, muscle stiffness and eye problems.
Migraines occur when the trigeminal nerve, which innervates your face and head, becomes overactive. An injection of Botox can block this signaling from your nerve to muscles and stop any pain signals from being transmitted to your muscles.
Your insurance may cover migraine treatments depending on how often you experience them. Typically, if you have eight or more headache days per month, your policy will likely cover it.
Medicare may cover Botox therapy if other treatments have failed to relieve your migraines. To make sure they know all relevant details about your condition and Botox treatment, send Medicare as many records as possible regarding how often you’ve visited a physician’s office.
