Headaches & Migraines

Tension headaches are commonly caused by hyperactive forehead muscles, especially in the frown area between the eyebrows. They do not effectively respond to painkillers and can sometimes be made worse by over-medicating. Tension headaches can also occur due to driving into the sun and squinting and sometimes by prolonged use of computer screens.

Migraines cause severe headaches, visual disturbances such as spots or flashing lights, sensitivity to smells, light or noise and cause nausea and vomiting.

Botulinum toxin type is very effective in the treatment of tension, cluster and migraine headaches. To treat chronic migraine headaches, Botulinum toxin type A is injected every 12-16 weeks to specific sites around the head, neck and upper back to dull headache symptoms.

Chronic migraine sufferers have found that Botulinum toxin not only reduces the number of migraines attacks but also makes the ones they do get less severe and easier to manage. A more usual response is a cumulative improvement with repeated treatments, with up to 80% patients reporting relief after 4 or 5 treatments. Repeated treatment with Botulinum toxin is effective, safe and well-tolerated.

Botulinum toxin type A has received approval from the UK Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) as a preventive treatment for chronic migraine headaches. It has been endorsed by NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence).