If you’ve been diagnosed as having chronic migraines, you certainly understand what it’s like to have a headache impact your life in a very substantial way. In fact, patients who suffer from chronic migraines have a long history of headaches; they experience them on at least 15 days of the month, and 4 of which are severe migraines. The good news is that select headache sufferers can now try Botox to help prevent pain before it starts with most insurance carriers now covering the treatment.
Our Scottsdale pain experts understand Botox is effective for migraine headaches because it blocks chemicals called neurotransmitters that carry pain signals to the brain. Injecting Botox along this path stops pain before they hit the nerve endings in the head and neck. If you’re seeking help for migraines, please contact one of Integrated Pain Consultants’ three offices to schedule a detailed evaluation – (480) 626-2552 or book your appointment online today.
The FDA first approved the use of Botox for migraines in 2010. Since this time, there have been over 100,000 treatments performed by medical doctors, anesthesiologists, and pain management experts across the US. Here are a few benefits in which migraine sufferers find relief:
The team at Integrated Pain Consultants are board certified pain management experts and anesthesiologists who are highly qualified to deliver Botox treatments. After a careful assessment, your physician will inject the Botox into the shallow muscles causing the patient’s headache or migraine. In fact, there are 31 injections sites in 7 key areas of the head and neck that can give patients three months without pain. Best practice is to have repeating treatments every 12 weeks before you start feeling the pain to avoid the onset of a migraine due to delayed treatment.
Unlike headaches which you can take over the counter medications and perform relaxation techniques, the best treatment for migraines is to pay attention to the triggers and signs and avoid a migraine before it starts. You qualify if:
Additionally, most insurance carriers will pay for your Botox treatment – please call your provider or check with our office.
There are a variety of differences between headaches and migraines including the pain, symptoms, and triggers for the attacks. Headaches are common to 70% of the world’s population with about 15% having migraines that last a few hours to days.
The pain associated with a tension headache is described by many as an elastic band that is squeezing the head. This pressure is caused by the contraction of muscles between the head and neck, and they experience a dull pain that is mild to moderate in most cases and lasts 30 minutes to a few hours. By comparison, a migraine attack tends to range from relatively mild to a quite severe throbbing pain on one side of the head or in the front. These types of migraines can last for hours or days.
A simple headache often comes with no advance notice, but migraine sufferers report a “warning” which is auditory, visual, physiological, or psychological as a result of the changing neurological effects its has on the brain.
Triggers for both headaches and migraines vary from patient to patient and generally a person who suffers from 15 headaches a month has learned to identify possible causes. Stress, anxiety, poor posture, smells, squinting, poor light, dehydration, hunger, tiredness, hormonal changes, excessive sugar intake, alcohol and others have been linked to frequent episodes. During an attack, a tension headache would feel the head pain and other symptoms “normal” to that patient’s experience. By contrast, a migraine sufferer has a heightened level of pain over a simple headache, and patients report it is so sweeping that they cannot perform everyday tasks, sleep, or even relax. The symptoms of migraine sufferers extend beyond what’s happening in the head.
Emily Tyler and Melissa Kuntz are nurse practitioners at Integrated Pain Consultants and are pleased to offer select cosmetic treatments. Having completed specialized training, please check out a few new specialties available to patients. Please call our office to learn more about aesthetic treatments – (480) 626-2552.
BOTOX INJECTIONS
Botox is a purified neurotoxin that is not only used for minimizing fine lines but also chronic migraines. As a cosmetic treatment, Botox is much loved by men and women who want to smooth out wrinkles around the eyebrows, crow’s feet, forehead lines, and frown lines.
ZO SKIN CARE
ZO Skin Health is a complete line of medical-grade products designed by Dr. Zein Obagi. Available only at medical practices, ZO products are formulated to help achieve and maintain healthy, radiant skin.
CHEMICAL PEELS
Chemical peels can improve the overall condition of the skin by applying a solution to the skin which makes the old skin shed, revealing smoother and less wrinkled new skin. Peels are ideal for the treatment of acne, sun damage, wrinkles, fine lines, and more.
MICRODERMABRASION
Microdermabrasion is an exfoliation process that is designed to manually remove the top layer of dead skin cells with an instrument along with age spots, some kinds of acne, and dull skin. Microdermabrasion works on a variety of skin types, and it makes subtle changes to discoloration in the skin tone.
MICRONEEDLING
Microneedling is a minimally invasive way to get rid of fine lines and wrinkles, reduce the appearance of stretch marks, and improve the look of scarring. By stimulating your skin’s natural ability to produce collagen and elastin, the “micro injuries” from the micro needling device encourages healing for a fresher, more youthful look.
If you are suffering from chronic migraines and need relief, please contact Integrated Pain Consultants and let’s talk about a treatment plan that is right for your headaches. With three offices open in Scottsdale, Mesa, and Phoenix, Arizona, learn why we are voted “Top Doc” by Phoenix Magazine and read reviews left by real patients of our amazing team of physicians and providers. Learn more about pain conditions, pain treatment, and please schedule your appointment by calling (480) 626-2552 or book your appointment online today.