Migraines are more than a simple headache. Symptoms include intense headache pain and sensitivity to light and sound that can make these headaches worse. As Botox has grown in popularity over the years as a way to fix the signs of aging, medical professionals realized it can also help with migraine headaches. If you are considering Botox for migraines Jacksonville FL, read on to learn more about this treatment option.

What is Botox?

Botox is the trademarked name for injections of a toxin called Clostridium botulinum. This toxin also referred to as a neurotoxin, is produced by a bacteria and then purified into a medical drug. When nerves are exposed to small amounts of the toxin they become weak, reducing any muscle contractions. Botox was originally developed to help treat conditions that caused eyelid spasms. However, as Botox became more popular in the cosmetic field to reduce wrinkles and fine lines, cosmetic doctors began to notice a correlation between injection treatments and fewer headaches reported by chronic sufferers.

How Does Botox Work for Migraine Patients?

Since Botox weakens the nerves in muscles, doctors use this mode of action to help decrease the frequency of headaches. Injections are placed in specific sites around the head and neck to numb any impulses that can travel to the brain, blocking the pain transmission that causes a migraine. The appointment time necessary for a Botox treatment is short, about 30 minutes, but it will take more than one session for a patient to notice improvements. Roughly 30 to 40 injections are given during a single treatment, and each treatment will last 10 to 12 weeks. As time progresses and treatments are continued, a patient will notice a continued improvement in their migraines.

Botox is a drug with many uses in the medical field, and for those who suffer from migraines, it can be the treatment they need to live without pain.