For anyone with migraine experience, the prospect of preventative treatment is sure to be appealing. Migraines are extremely painful headaches that can cause symptoms such as nausea, dizziness and sensitivity to light.
A migraine can make everyday tasks such as driving, going to work, and doing housework very difficult, if not impossible, to accomplish. Therefore, even the occasional migraine can be a miserable experience, and for those who suffer from it regularly, quality of life in both the short and long term can be significantly reduced.
Fortunately, an excellent preventative treatment is available through a procedure that some may find surprising – Botox injections. To learn more about this potentially life-changing treatment for chronic migraines, we spoke with Dr. Santiago Mazuera, head of Sinai Hospital’s Headache Clinic.
The first step in understanding Botox injections for migraine relief is to find out who qualifies for the procedure. Dr. Mazuera explains that the process begins with a consultation appointment, during which he works with patients to determine if they are indeed experiencing chronic migraines. The diagnosis of chronic migraine, Dr. Mazuera says, is given to patients who experience at least 15 headache days per month for more than three months. Once a patient receives a diagnosis of chronic migraine, Dr. Mazuera or Headache Clinic associate provider Colleen Dearing, CRNP, help ensure that patients receive insurance coverage for Botox treatment, taking into account the “more traditional” treatment options they have already tried, such as the daily use of painkillers. Once these criteria are met, patients can receive treatment and begin to enjoy relief from their migraines.
The actual process of getting Botox injections for chronic migraines is simpler than it may seem, usually requiring only a quick 15-minute visit to the Sinai Hospital Headache Clinic. There, Dr. Mazuera administers local botulinum toxin injections, commonly known as Botox. “It is injected into the muscles around the forehead, the sides of the head, the back of the head, the top of the neck and the shoulders.”
Botox is widely known for its cosmetic applications because it “inhibits or stops muscle movement,” explains Dr. Mazuera, “thereby making the skin smooth.” But when it comes to migraines, inhibiting muscle movement is only one aspect of the treatment’s effectiveness. “It not only blocks the substance that will cause the muscles to contract, but it also blocks the release of this protein called CGRP, which causes patients to have migraine attacks,” says Dr. Mazuera.
The intervals between treatments are based on how long the Botox stays in the patient’s system. “It’s about twelve weeks, the duration of Botox’s effect on the system, which is why we schedule patients every three months to have the next round of injections.”
For many of Dr. Mazuera, the results of regular Botox injections for chronic migraines are nothing short of life-changing: “They can go to work, they can go on vacation, they can take care of their families without always being afraid of having a migraine.” With no limit to the number of treatments one can receive and few negative side effects, many of Dr. Mazuera continued the injections for years. Minor risks associated with the procedure include headaches, fatigue and muscle pain at the injection sites, as well as heavy or drooping sensations in the eyebrows. Dr. Mazuera notes, however, that these side effects are “very uncommon.”
Unlike its risks, which are noticeably few and far between, the benefits of Botox injections for chronic migraines are plentiful. The procedure is not only accessible—it’s covered by nearly every insurance carrier when the right criteria are met—but it also has the proven potential to help patients reclaim their lives from migraines. Dr. Mazuera shares that he has treated patients who can now return to work, who are no longer running out of medical leave, and who can even enjoy a glass of wine at a wedding —
just a few examples of the dramatic life improvements this treatment can produce for patients.
Dr. Mazuera and his team at the Sinai Hospital Headache Clinic are currently accepting new patients. To learn more about Botox treatment for chronic migraines and schedule an appointment, Click here.
