How Often Can I Receive Botox for Migraines?
- Posted on: May 14 2024
If you’re one of the millions of people suffering from chronic migraines, you know just how painful and debilitating these headaches can be. They can derail your work, social life, and overall health. Fortunately, Botox treatments can help. Botox injections are an FDA-approved option for reducing migraine frequency. But how often do you need to get them to see real results?
What Exactly Are Botox Injections?
Botox contains botulinum toxin, which blocks nerve signals to muscles. This relaxes the muscles, so they can’t tighten up or spasm. For treating migraines, Botox is injected into specific sites on the head, neck, and shoulders. This blocks pain signals to the brain and prevents them from triggering migraine attacks. Botox doesn’t completely prevent migraines, but it can substantially reduce how often you get them when you stick with regular treatments. Studies show Botox treatments cut migraine days by 50% on average. For chronic migraine sufferers, that can be life-changing.
What’s the Recommended Frequency?
For maximum relief, you’ll need to get Botox injections every 12 weeks or so. Many neurologists recommend starting with five to six rounds of treatments. After that initial set, you may only need Botox every 14 to 16 weeks to maintain the benefits. According to RefinedMD, the effects of Botox for chronic migraines last up to three months, on average. However, others are able to spread out treatments more after seeing improvement. Talk to your doctor about the right schedule for you. It takes multiple Botox sessions for the effects to build up fully. Don’t be discouraged if one or two treatments don’t make a huge impact. Stay consistent with the schedule recommended by your neurologist. Over several appointments, you’re likely to experience fewer migraines and less intense pain.
What Can I Expect With Botox?
The injections use very thin needles, so most patients tolerate the procedure well. Some compare it to being snapped with a rubber band. Side effects are typically mild, like headache or neck soreness afterward. It takes about a week or two to start noticing the migraine reduction benefits. The effects continue improving over the three to four months that the Botox lasts. For the best chance of success, be diligent about keeping up with your scheduled appointments.
With consistency, Botox treatments could significantly reduce your migraine burden. Reach out to us today at Azul Cosmetic Surgery & Medical Spa to schedule a consultation and find out if you can benefit from this type of migraine treatment.
Posted in: Botox