Migraine Botox: What Is It, How Is It Applied, and Which Points Are Treated?

Migraine disease can be described as a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent throbbing-type headache attacks, accompanied by some additional symptoms.

Migraine disease can be defined as a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent throbbing-type headache attacks, along with some additional symptoms. Migraine, which significantly reduces an individual’s quality of life and even leads to substantial workforce loss in society, is one of the most important health issues affecting around 700 million people worldwide. Individuals diagnosed with migraine experience at least 5 headache attacks within a 6-month period, with each attack lasting at least 4 hours or several days, directly impacting the patient’s quality of life and overall health. The headaches, typically unilateral, can range from moderate to very severe, have a pulsating character, and intensify with physical activity. In addition, migraine attacks are often accompanied by symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, or sensitivity to noise and light. These conditions represent significant problems that hinder the patient’s ability to carry out daily activities. One of the most recent methods for treating migraine, which significantly affects both patient and public health, is migraine Botox. This treatment has been shown to provide very beneficial results even in chronic migraine cases that are resistant to medical treatment, making it a crucial option for management.

What Is Migraine Botox?

Botulinum toxin injection, commonly known as Botox, is frequently used in the fields of plastic and aesthetic treatments. However, in recent years, it has become one of the widely used treatment options for disorders related to the autonomic nervous system, muscle diseases associated with spasticity, and various neurological conditions that cause movement disorders. Botulinum toxin is produced by Clostridium botulinum, a gram-positive anaerobic bacterium. This substance, which has a neurotoxic effect on nerve cells, has 7 different types: Botulinum A, B, C, D, E, F, and G. The injection of Botulinum A and B serotypes, which are effective on pain, has become one of the preferred methods for the treatment of migraine disease in many countries since 2010.

In migraine botox treatment, the toxin injected appropriately into the patient suppresses the secretion of acetylcholine, a chemical neurotransmitter, at the neuromuscular junction, resulting in temporary loss of sensation in the muscle tissue in that area. Additionally, Botulinum toxin inhibits the sensitivity in the superficial muscle fibers, reduces pain signals sent from the surface to the center, and thus prevents the sensation of pain in the affected muscles. In summary, botulinum injections applied in migraines and other chronic painful diseases indirectly block the pain sensitivity of the central nervous system for a temporary period.

How Is Migraine Botox Applied?

Botulinum toxin products developed for Botox applications can have different doses, effects, and safety features. Therefore, the dose to be injected before the application is recalculated specifically for each patient and each product type.

The botulinum injection preparation, known as Botox in the market, contains a total of 100 units of toxin and is diluted with 2 ml of saline solution. For injection, muscle tissue is preferred over subcutaneous tissue, and the appropriate syringe is chosen accordingly. After the prepared solution is drawn into the syringe, toxin injections of 5 units each are administered to each predetermined point following a pain monitoring method. After the procedure, the patient is closely monitored for about 15 minutes and evaluated for potential side effects such as sudden headaches, muscle pain and weakness, high blood pressure, and reactions at the injection site.

Migraine Botox Points

To achieve the correct effect from botulinum injection, it is recommended to apply it to the intramuscular (muscle) tissue rather than the intradermal (subcutaneous) tissue. Injections into the bone membrane, eyelids, and peripheral blood vessels should be avoided, as they may cause complications in the patient. Additionally, to prevent creating an asymmetrical appearance in the patient's outward appearance, injections applied to the forehead are done bilaterally and symmetrically.

The preferred points for migraine Botox are as follows:

1. Corrugator and Procerus: Located above both eyelids and between the eyes. These superficial muscles require superficial injection to avoid damaging the bone membrane.
2. Frontalis: Starting above the corrugator muscles, covering a larger area of the forehead. Four different injection points are used on the frontalis muscle.
3. Temporalis: Located on both sides of the head and above the ears. This muscle group plays a crucial role in migraine pain and is one of the most frequently injected areas during Botox treatment. Prior to the application, the patient is asked to clench their teeth to make the temporal muscles more prominent, and then a total of 8 injections are applied to both muscles.
4. Occipitalis: Located at the back of the skull near the neck. Six injections are applied to the left and right occipital muscles.
5. Cervical Paraspinal: Located at the base of the neck, this area is also one of the injection points for migraine Botox treatment. To avoid causing weakness in the neck muscles, the injection is performed as superficially as possible.
6. Trapezius: This muscle group receives a total of 3 injections, completing the procedure.

Benefits of Migraine Botox

Botulinum A and B toxins, injected into the muscles through migraine Botox, create long-lasting and temporary loss of sensation in the existing muscle cells, thereby controlling pain complaints. Particularly in migraine patients who do not respond to medical treatment, migraine Botox reduces the frequency of attacks, weakens the sensation of pain, and eliminates additional complaints such as nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light. It is an extremely beneficial treatment method that helps improve the quality of life of patients.

Botox treatment, administered by experienced doctors in a well-equipped clinical setting, is completed in approximately 10 minutes. The first effects begin to appear around the 10th day after the procedure. Depending on the preferred Botox preparation for the injection, the effects of a single Botox application typically last for about 12 weeks.

Frequently Asked Questions about Migraine Botox

How many sessions does migraine Botox take to show effect?

The first effect for pain control after migraine Botox is typically seen around the 10th day. During the following 12 weeks, there are no migraine attacks, but starting from the 13th week after the procedure, the effectiveness of the injected toxin decreases. During this period, the patient may be at risk for a potential migraine attack. Therefore, for effective treatment with migraine Botox, it is recommended to have 3 or 4 sessions in the first year. The following treatments are planned according to the patient's needs, and a single Botox session generally remains effective for 6 months or longer.

What are the possible side effects?

Migraine Botox, when administered by experienced doctors, generally does not lead to serious complications. Common side effects after the injection include allergic reactions at the application site, temporary hypertension in some patients, muscle weakness and stiffness, sudden headaches, and muscle pain radiating to the back. All of these are mild symptoms that typically resolve on their own after the injection.

How long does the migraine Botox procedure take?

Although the injection part of the treatment lasts approximately 15 minutes, considering the patient's pre-procedure examination and post-procedure close monitoring, it is possible to say that a single session lasts about 1 hour.