Dealing With Headaches

In 2005, word got out from Botox users with headaches and migraines that they were having less head pain. At the time, it was thought that getting Botox injections in your head helped to relieve severe headaches or even migraines. All the claims lead to a more clinical study. Well, that study has found that Botox does nothing to help ease the severity or frequency of headaches or migraines. In other words — Botox as a headache cure was just another desperate housewives’ tale.

Some Specifics

Botox is short for botulinum toxin A. If that first word looks familiar, it’s becuse Botox is the more more popular relation in the botulism family. And toxin means exactly what you think it means — toxic. It is infamous for making your skin puff out to smooth wrinkles. It is also about $500 a shot.

When Botox users started claiming a redction in their headaches was happening, there were some clinical trials done in Thomas Jefferson University and the Mayo Clinic. The results were promising. But it definately didn’t work for everyone, as is the case with any treatment or medical therapy.

But the latest study in Croatia makes you wonder if Botox works for anyone. Five hundred migraine sufferers were given Botox injections in their neck or face or a an injection of saline solution (a placebo). There were no significant reduction in migraines for either those given Botox or those given a placebo.

If You Want To Use Needles In Your Head, Anyway

If you just have to have a needle stuck in your neck or head, consider accupuncture instead of Botox. Accupuncture is a science that has been around for thousands of years. Accupuncturists have to have medical liscences in order to perform any accupuncture treatments. The needles are extremely thin and said to be painless. But, of course, not everyone with migraines will respond to accupuncture. But at least you are not sticking anything potentially toxic into your body.

And before starting any treatment, check with your doctor and you health insurance. Sometimes a few accupunture sessions are included in some health care plans if your doctor perscribes them. But check with yours for details.