Posted on October 13, 2019 by By Dr. Ort
Botox for Migraines
A migraine is a severe headache that is accompanied by nausea and several other troublesome symptoms. The pain associated with the headache can be so intense that it completely ruins your day. This can become a problem for individuals dealing with chronic migraines. While there are medications that can help alleviate some of the painful symptoms associated with migraine headaches, they do not put a permanent end to your problem. If you want to watch your pain disappear over the course of time, considering Botox may be a great option for you.
Botox is an injectable solution best known for eliminate lines and wrinkles on the forehead, but it can also help put an end to your painful migraine headaches. There are several nerves in the head that send pain signals to the brain during a migraine. A Botox injection in the correct location will numb these nerve endings; preventing them from sending the pain signals.
You will be seated in a comfortable exam chair at the start of the appointment. Your doctor will then use an extremely thin needle to deliver approximately 30 Botox injections in your head and neck. You will be free to return to your normal activities immediately after the appointment is finished. This appointment can take anywhere from 20 to 30 minutes and is often performed on lunch breaks.
Who is a good candidate?
These Botox injections can only be performed on patients that are experiencing chronic migraines. This is described as dealing with a headache for more than 14 days every month. The vast majority of these headaches also have to classified as migraines. There are no major side effects associated with this procedure, so almost everyone that meets the criteria will qualify to be a patient. If you have questions about whether or not you qualify, contact Dr. Ort for a consultation.
How quickly does it work?
While some of our Bellevue Botox patients start to notice some pain relief after a few days, it usually takes about two weeks before you see a reduction in your migraines.
Normally patients are encouraged to return within 12 weeks of the first appointment. The doctor will ultimately determine the number of treatment sessions required based on your individual results. With Botox injections, many patients experienced increased relief in the severity and frequency of their migraine symptoms with each additional appointment.
Request a Consultation
If you or someone you know could benefit from relief from chronic migraines, request a consultation with Dr. Ort through our online form or call our office at
(425) 200-5890