Botox for Migraines and Spasticity
Our caring team of Physiatrists - also known as PM&R providers - will evaluate patients who have tried oral medications for migraines, but those treatments have failed to address them. Botox can also be used for patients with increased tone or spasticity in their upper or lower extremities.
Botox for Migraines
If you’ve tried oral medications for migraine relief without success, you’re not alone. Many patients struggle to find consistent relief with pills and are often left dealing with debilitating pain, light sensitivity, and nausea that interfere with daily life. Fortunately, Botox injections have emerged as an effective alternative treatment for chronic migraines.
- How it works - Botox, commonly known for reducing wrinkles, also works by calming overactive nerve signals. When injected into specific areas of the head and neck, it helps prevent the brain from receiving the pain signals that trigger a migraine. Treatment usually involves a series of small injections around the scalp, forehead, temples, and neck.
- Who it helps - Botox is typically recommended for adults who experience migraines 15 or more days per month, especially if oral medications haven’t provided enough relief. Many patients report fewer headache days each month and less intense symptoms after just a couple of treatment sessions.
Botox for Spasticity
Spasticity is a condition where muscles become stiff, tight, or contract uncontrollably due to nerve damage, commonly caused by stroke, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, or spinal cord injury. It can affect the way a person moves, walks, or uses their arms and hands, often causing pain or difficulty with daily tasks.
- How Botox helps - Botox works by temporarily blocking the nerve signals that cause muscles to contract too much. When injected into the affected muscles of the arms or legs, Botox helps them relax, improving range of motion, reducing stiffness, and easing pain or discomfort.
- Personalized treatment - Each patient’s pattern of spasticity is unique. A healthcare provider will assess which muscles are most affected and design a treatment plan tailored to your needs. In many cases, Botox is part of a larger rehabilitation approach that may include physical or occupational therapy.
- Results and recovery - Many patients begin to feel relief within 1 to 2 weeks after injection, with effects lasting around 3 months. Over time, regular treatments can make movement easier and help patients regain independence in everyday activities.