Did you know that the BOTOX® in San Diego you use to soften wrinkles can also help relieve pain among migraine sufferers? Find out more.

While neuromodulators such as BOTOX® Cosmetic are helping to reveal smoother and more luminous skin, taking the pain out of aging by minimizing the appearance of aggravating folds and creases and enhancing confidence and self-esteem, the treatment is reducing headaches for many.

BOTOX® Therapeutic is an FDA-approved treatment for easing migraines – one of the most painful of headaches.

1. What are Migraines?

A migraine is more than a headache. This ailment is considered a neurological disease and is listed as the sixth most debilitating condition globally. Pain is frequently experienced as a throbbing in one or both sides of the head, accompanied by unpleasant side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and extreme light and sound sensitivity. Other common symptoms and disturbances include visual auras, light flashes, vision loss and blind spots, tingling, pulsing sensations, or difficulty speaking.

Every year around 39 million Americans, young and old, suffer from migraines. On average, sufferers experience migraines once or twice a month, with four million suffering the debilitating condition up to 15 days out of every month. The pain and other symptoms can last for hours or even days at a time. Often, the pain is preceded by discomfort across several days and followed by lingering fatigue.

2. What Causes Migraines?

Somewhat of an enigma, the cause of migraines isn’t well understood. Genetics play a role, with migraines common within families and more likely among females. Numerous inherent and external factors can induce an attack. Reported life stage, lifestyle, and environmental triggers include:

• For females, changes in hormones such as estrogen during menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause;
• Consumption of alcohol, caffeine, and certain foods such as highly processed and salty meals or matured cheese; fasting or skipping meals; food additives including artificial sweeteners and preservatives such as monosodium glutamate (MSG);
• External stimuli such as sunlight, bright lights, loud sounds, strong smells, and irritants such as smoke;
• Physical exertion; weather or pressure changes; stress, too little or too much sleep; jet lag.

Current research explores the impact of brain chemical imbalances and the role of serotonin and other neurotransmitters in pain regulation, and the relationship between brainstem changes and pain pathways such as the trigeminal nerve.

While some medications can help sufferers avoid migraines, minimize pain and alleviate accompanying sensations, others such as oral contraceptives, HRT, and vasodilators can exacerbate symptoms. In addition, prolonged use of migraine medication can cause complications such as overuse-induced headaches. Lifestyle changes, avoiding triggers, and other holistic measures can assist, but all too often, there is little relief for migraine sufferers.

Luckily, a neurotoxin commonly used as a neuromodulator in clinical cosmetic procedures – Botox in San Diego, can help.

3. What is Botox?

Botox, or OnabotulinumtoxinA, is a neurotoxin generated by the Clostridium botulinum bacteria (responsible for botulism if ingested), which blocks the movement of neurotransmitters across nerve synapses. By paralyzing muscles, Botox injected in small doses can safely relax and soften the appearance of dynamic wrinkles and folds (the creases that appear while we talk, laugh, or frown), perfect for smoothing the skin and minimizing the signs of aging.

FDA approved for medical therapeutic use since 1989 to treat strabismus (crossed eyes), and aesthetic use since 2002, Botox (as BOTOX® Cosmetic) is now a popular and effective cosmetic skin appearance-enhancement procedure. Notably, while injecting Botox to correct strabismus, researchers noticed a relaxing of the frown lines, spurring its subsequent use in aesthetics.

Related post: Why You Should Use Obagi Products After Your Jeuveau, Dysport or Botox Treatment

4. How Can Botox Help Ease Migraines?

By a happy coincidence, migraine sufferers using the neuromodulator for wrinkles began reporting concurrent improvement in the frequency and extent of their migraine condition. They further cited an increase in completely symptom-free or ‘crystal-clear’ days. Intrigued, medical practitioners studied the treatment’s effects and established a direct link: the Botox neurotoxin helps alleviate migraines when applied to the face and neck muscles.

FDA approved for use in chronic migraines among 18+-year-olds in 2010, the substance was registered as BOTOX® Therapeutic to differentiate it from BOTOX® Cosmetic. The versatile neurotoxin also addresses and reduces the occurrence of neck pain, muscle spasms, tics, and other muscle control concerns such as bruxism (tooth-grinding) and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. It even helps with hyperhidrosis (extreme sweating) and an overactive bladder.

To learn more about how BOTOX® in San Diego could help to ease the pain of your migraines and provide you with a smoother and more youthful appearance, get in touch with us today.

5. Testimonial from Farah, Patient 

Very clean and friendly service. I went in for my consultation and learned a lot about their services. The registered nurse was very informative, knowledgeable and sweet. Great prices, made an appointment to go back tomorrow for my service! The nurses and staff are so lovely and patient! Can’t wait to go back!