Health & Fitness

Dr Adnan Azad (MD, MPharm) on Instagram: "If you suffer from migraines, you need to hear this. When most people hear Botox, they think cosmetic. But Botox is one of the most effective treatments available for chronic migraines — and most people who suffer with them have never been told about it. Chronic migraine means 15 or more headache days per month, with migraine symptoms on at least 8 of those days. For people in that category who have tried and failed at least three preventive treatments, Botox is approved on the NHS as a treatment option through specialist referral. The treatment involves 31 small injections across the forehead, temples, back of the head, neck, and shoulders — repeated every 12 weeks. It works by blocking the release of neurotransmitters involved in carrying pain signals, interrupting the migraine pathway before it reaches the brain. In the PREEMPT clinical trials involving 1,384 patients, 70% of those treated with Botox had their headache days reduced by more than half after 12 months. That is 50% fewer migraines. The average patient had a reduction of 8 headache days per month after two treatment cycles. Side effects are generally mild and temporary — most commonly soreness at injection sites and occasional eyelid drooping that resolves within days. If you have been living with chronic migraines and nothing has worked so far — tablets, triptans, lifestyle changes — ask your GP about referral to a headache specialist. Botox is not just cosmetic. For chronic migraine sufferers, it can be life-changing. Send this to someone who suffers with migraines. ⚠️ General information only. Individual medical decisions require professional assessment. References: PREEMPT Trials — Botox for Chronic Migraine (Headache, 2010) | NICE TA260 — Botulinum Toxin for Chronic Migraine (2012) | The Migraine Trust — Botox Injections for Migraine (2025) | Cochrane Review — Botulinum Toxins for Prevention of Migraine (2018) #Migraine #Botox #DrAzad"