End Those Pounding Headaches: Neurotoxin Injections Offer Hope for Migraine Sufferers
If you suffer from debilitating migraine headaches, you know the misery they can cause. The pounding pain, nausea, and sensitivity to light and sound can make it impossible to function normally. But there is hope. Here at the Kagan Institute, we offer neurotoxin injections that can provide relief when other treatments have failed. Keep reading to learn how this innovative approach could help you take back your life.
What Causes Migraines?
To understand how neurotoxin injections work, it helps to first understand what causes migraines. Migraines are more than just bad headaches - they are an actual neurological disorder. Research shows they are likely caused by abnormal activity in the brain and hyper-excitability of nerve cells.
This hyper-excitability can lead to activation of the trigeminal nerve system, which is involved in pain signals that travel through the head and face. When the trigeminal system is disrupted, it can trigger the release of inflammatory substances that irritate and further activate these pain pathways in the brain. This chain reaction is what causes the debilitating pain, auras, nausea, and sensitivity that migraine sufferers experience.
How Neurotoxin Injections Help
Neurotoxin injections offer a revolutionary way to break this miserable cycle. Neurotoxins like Botox and Xeomin have been used for years for cosmetic treatments, because they temporarily block nerve signals and relax the muscles under the skin. More recently, physicians discovered that injecting neurotoxin into key areas around the head and neck can dampen down the overactive nerves involved in migraines.
The neurotoxin blocks the release of inflammatory, pain-signaling chemicals including CGRP. This calms the trigeminal nerve system and stops migraines at their source. The effects last about three months at a time, after which most patients opt for follow-up maintenance injections every 10-12 weeks.
The Benefits of Neurotoxin Treatment
There are many advantages to controlling migraines with targeted neurotoxin injections:
- Non-invasive and convenient office-based procedure
- Well-tolerated with minimal side effects
- Quick treatment sessions that require no recovery time
- Reduced migraine frequency, intensity, and duration
- Lower or no need for migraine medications that can have side effects
- Fewer migraine days and increased ability to function
- Improved work productivity and quality of life
What to Expect During Your Appointment
If you decide to pursue neurotoxin injections, Dr. Kagan will take excellent care of you right here in our office. The actual injection process only takes about 15 minutes and is practically painless.
First, you’ll sit down with Dr. Kagan and discuss your migraine history and treatment goals. He will determine the optimal areas to target the injections around your head, neck, and shoulders to block the pain signals causing your migraines.
Then you’ll receive a series of injections using an ultra-fine needle. Most patients describe it as a pinprick or mosquito bite sensation. The neurotoxin takes effect gradually, so maximum relief comes about 7-14 days after the injections. Typical treatment plans involve injections about every three to four months.
Many patients find significant relief with this simple office procedure. Neurotoxin injections have been shown to reduce migraine frequency, intensity, and duration for a substantial portion of patients.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do the effects of the injections last?
Most patients can expect three months of relief before a repeat treatment is needed. Some may get longer lasting results.
How many injections are needed per treatment?
It depends on your specific symptoms, but most patients require about 20-30 tiny injections around the head, neck, and shoulders.
Do the injections hurt?
The needles used are very thin, so most patients tolerate the injections very well. They cause minimal discomfort that goes away quickly.
How soon until I feel relief from a migraine attack after getting injections?
It takes the full 7-14 days after the injections for the neurotoxin to take full effect. Maximal results are typically seen 1 month after injections.
Are there any side effects?
When performed by an experienced doctor like Dr. Kagan, side effects are minimal. Temporary weakening of neck muscles or eyelid drooping can occur but resolves in 2-3 weeks.
Will my health insurance cover neurotoxin injections for migraines?
Many major insurance plans now recognize neurotoxins as an effective migraine treatment. Our office staff can verify your coverage specifics.
Give Yourself the Gift of Migraine Relief
If you’re missing out on quality time with your family, falling behind at work, or just trying to survive each day, neurotoxin injections could help you reclaim your life. You deserve to be free from the disabling effects of migraines.
Schedule a consultation with Dr. Kagan today to learn more and discover if neurotoxin injections are right for you. It only takes one simple office visit to get started, and relief may be just around the corner. Here at the Kagan Institute, we believe no one should suffer needlessly when innovative treatments like neurotoxins can offer new hope.
