Many of us are familiar with the expression “Take two aspirin and call me in the morning”. With all of the latest applications of botox, that expression might be changed to “call me in a week after your Botox.” Amazingly enough, Botox has been found to be an effective treatment for some types of headaches. In fact, Botox was recently approved by the FDA for the treatment of a migraines. Since the FDA is one of the strictest approval bodies in the entire world, this has been big news in the medical field. Some studies have shown improvement in these with botox placement in specific headache-inducing locations.
So, should you inject botox if you are having a headache? Routine headaches should be treated with conservative measures. Botox is typically used for headaches which are persistent or those that occur frequently. The use of botox for headaches can be explored only after other modalities have been proven ineffective. Prior to treatment, a thorough workup which can rule out any brain issue or sinus issue or other issue which may be responsible for a headache.
The big question, does it work? Dr. Shah has noticed improvement in select individuals who have explored other options first, prior to receiving Botox as a therapy. As headaches are very complex and multifactorial, there is not a panacea available, including Botox.
Is Botox covered by insurance?
Dr. Shah does not accept insurance for Botox therapy. Patients can submit an insurance claim on their own behalf. The status of insurance companies accepting claims for Botox is not known.
Will I know right away if Botox is effective?
Patients should know within one week if Botox works for them.
How does Dr. Shah inject Botox for migraines?
He only injects botox for migraines in individuals who have had an exhaustive workup with a known diagnosis of migraine. Dr. Shah is not a neurologist. However, since facial anatomy is a challenging endeavor and requires specific knowledge and Dr. Shah has injected a large amount of patients with Botox, he does inject Botox for migraines in select patients.
What is the pricing for Botox for migraines?
Dr. Shah’s office bases price on a per unit basis. Since the amount of botox can be large for migraine therapy, the office offers special pricing for those patients.
Will Botox work for me?
It is not known. In patients with refractory migraines, Botox may offer a solution to their headaches.
How long does it last?
Botox typically lasts for 4 to 6 months. The goal with treatment is to break the headache cycle and have patients off all medications, including Botox.