Migraine is far more than just a severe headache. The attacks are usually one-sided and are accompanied by pulsating or pounding pain. Accompanying symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and sensitivity to light and noise are typical. Visual disturbances, known as auras, can also precede the attack.

Left untreated, the symptoms usually last between four hours and three days. What is particularly distressing is that many patients suffer from these symptoms on several days a month. In some cases even so frequently that everyday life is massively restricted.

Chronic migraine is defined as headaches occurring on at least 15 days per month, at least eight of them with migraine symptoms, over a period of at least three months.

The effect of Botox in migraine is not based on muscle relaxation alone. Rather, botulinum toxin specifically blocks the release of certain messenger substances that transmit pain signals in the nervous system, in particular CGRP, a key substance in migraine.

In addition, Botox has a relaxing effect on overstimulated muscle groups in the head, neck and shoulder area, which are frequently identified as so-called trigger zones in migraine. This relaxation improves blood circulation, reduces muscular tension and thus prevents new pain stimuli.

The treatment is purely preventive, i.e. it is not carried out during an acute attack, but at regular intervals. The aim of the treatment is to reduce the frequency and intensity of migraine attacks in the long term.

Treatment with Botox has proven to be a real benefit for many people with chronic migraine. One major advantage is the targeted relaxation of overstimulated muscle groups in the head, neck and shoulder area, which are frequently regarded as triggers for migraine attacks. After just a few applications, the number and intensity of attacks can decrease significantly.

Botox has a long-term effect: as a rule, the effect lasts for around three months, which is why a regular refresher treatment is recommended. Compared with many other medications, the treatment is very well tolerated and associated with only a few side effects.

The procedure itself is also uncomplicated. The application is carried out quickly and you are socially presentable again immediately afterwards. The therapy is particularly advantageous for people who do not tolerate classic migraine preparations well or do not respond sufficiently to other treatments.

After the treatment, many patients report noticeable relief in everyday life, with more energy, better sleep and a markedly improved quality of life.

The therapy is particularly suitable for people for whom other treatment approaches (e.g. triptans, antiepileptic drugs such as topiramate or CGRP antibodies such as erenumab) are not sufficiently effective or cause excessive side effects.

Whether treatment with Botox is an option for you is clarified by Lecturer Dr. Matiasek in a personal consultation with a detailed medical history, confirmation of the diagnosis and individual treatment planning.

Before Botox treatment for migraine is carried out, Lecturer Dr. Matiasek takes time for a detailed consultation. Your migraine history to date, possible pre-existing conditions and the individual characteristics of your symptoms are analysed in detail. Keeping a headache diary is often recommended in order to better assess the frequency, intensity and duration of the attacks. This information helps to evaluate the success of the treatment objectively.

In the days before the treatment, you should avoid blood-thinning medications such as aspirin or ibuprofen, as these can increase the risk of minor bleeding at the injection sites. Alcohol should also be avoided the day before. Please come to the treatment well rested, as this allows it to be carried out as comfortably as possible.

The treatment is carried out on an outpatient basis at Lecturer Dr. Matiasek's practice and is uncomplicated and well tolerated. Anaesthesia is not necessary, as very fine needles are used. During the session, Lecturer Dr. Matiasek injects the botulinum toxin precisely into clearly defined muscle groups in the forehead, temple, neck and shoulder area – in other words, where chronic tension often develops which, as so-called trigger points, can set off migraine attacks. The entire treatment takes around 15 to 30 minutes. Immediately afterwards you can leave the practice and are generally socially presentable again straight away.

When administered correctly, treatment with Botox is considered very safe and is generally well tolerated. Nevertheless, slight swelling, redness or a feeling of tightness in the treated area may occur temporarily after the injection. Some patients also report a brief feeling of pressure in the head or slight neck stiffness. These symptoms generally subside on their own within a few hours. Rare side effects such as headaches or muscular weakness occur only in isolated cases. Long-term complications are not to be expected, provided the treatment is carried out by an experienced doctor such as Lecturer Dr. Matiasek.

Botox does not work immediately. As a rule, it takes a few days for the desired effect to set in. Initial improvements usually appear after four to 14 days. The full effect is often noticeable after several weeks. As the effect can be reinforced with each follow-up treatment, regular application approximately every three months is recommended. Many patients report that their migraine attacks are less frequent, shorter and less intense. Quality of life overall often improves as well.

How long does the effect last?

The effect of the Botox treatment usually lasts around ten to twelve weeks. To achieve a result that is stable in the long term, it is recommended that the therapy be repeated at regular intervals. In this way, not only can the number of migraine days be reduced, but the risk of particularly severe attacks can also be lowered.

Is migraine permanently cured by Botox?

A permanent cure is not possible with Botox, but the preparation can significantly improve quality of life. The aim of the treatment is to reduce the frequency and intensity of migraine attacks. For many of those affected, this is a decisive step towards regaining more control over everyday life. Particularly for people for whom conventional medications are not sufficiently effective or are accompanied by side effects, Botox offers an effective and well-tolerated alternative.

As a rule, the costs can only be covered if you have chronic migraine. That means at least 15 headache days per month, eight of them with typical migraine symptoms. In addition, other therapies should already have been tried but not have brought sufficient relief. Prior approval from the insurer is often also required. As the requirements can differ depending on the insurer, it is worth enquiring with your health insurer at an early stage. Lecturer Dr. Matiasek and his team will be happy to support you in clarifying this.

Do you suffer from chronic migraine and would like to improve your quality of life? Arrange a consultation appointment with Lecturer Dr. Matiasek now and find out whether Botox is the right solution for you.