Treatment

Botox injections for chronic migraine and movement disorders

Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA) is a medicine injected into specific muscles to calm overactive nerves and muscle contractions. At INPM, our neurologists and physician assistants use Botox injections to prevent chronic migraine and to treat dystonia, blepharospasm, hemifacial spasm and spasticity. The effect builds over a few weeks and usually lasts about three months, so treatment is repeated on a regular schedule.

What are Botox injections?

Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA) is a purified medicine that, injected in small amounts into specific muscles, blocks the nerve signals that make them contract and calms overactive nerves. In neurology it is used to prevent chronic migraine and to relax muscles that tighten or spasm on their own.

Which conditions does INPM treat with Botox?

Chronic migraine

FDA-approved to prevent chronic migraine, usually headaches on 15 or more days a month.

Dystonia

Involuntary muscle contractions that cause twisting movements or abnormal postures.

Blepharospasm

Involuntary blinking or forceful closing of the eyelids.

Hemifacial spasm

Twitching of the muscles on one side of the face.

Spasticity

Stiff, tight muscles after a stroke, brain injury or other neurological conditions.

What happens during a session?

For chronic migraine, treatment follows a standard pattern of small injections in the head, neck and shoulders:

Small injections across seven areas of the head, neck and shoulders: 31
Length of a typical session, in the office, with no anesthesia: 15–20 min
Usual time between treatments: 12 weeks

For dystonia, blepharospasm, hemifacial spasm and spasticity, your clinician chooses the muscles and the dose for your symptoms, and adjusts them from one session to the next.

How long does the effect last?

The effect builds over a few weeks and usually lasts about three months, so injections are repeated on a regular schedule. For chronic migraine, your clinician reviews how well the treatment works after a few rounds before deciding whether to continue.

What are the risks and side effects?

Side effects are usually mild and temporary:

Pain, redness or bruising where the needle went in
Neck pain or a headache
Flu-like symptoms
Temporary drooping of an eyelid or eye irritation, which is less common

What is recovery like?

There is no recovery time: you go home right after the session and continue your usual activities. Call our office if you have concerns after treatment.

Questions

Frequently asked questions

Call the clinic(707) 980-6636 How referrals workFax (707) 980-6692 or EPIC

Who is Botox for migraine for?

Botox is FDA-approved to prevent chronic migraine, which usually means headaches on 15 or more days a month. It is not used to stop a migraine attack that has already started.

How often are Botox injections repeated?

For chronic migraine, injections are usually repeated about every 12 weeks, and your clinician reviews how well they work after a few rounds. For dystonia and muscle spasms, the effect typically wears off after about three months, so treatment is repeated on a schedule.

What are the side effects of Botox injections?

Side effects are usually mild and temporary, such as pain or bruising where the needle went in, neck pain or a headache. Less often, an eyelid can droop for a short time. Tell your clinician about all your medicines and conditions before treatment.

Who performs botox injections at INPM

Referral required

Start with a referral from your doctor

New patients are seen by referral. Your primary care physician can fax the referral to (707) 980-6692 or send it through EPIC, and our office will call you to schedule.

How referrals work Call (707) 980-6636

Referral fax (707) 980-6692
EPIC referral
We call you to schedule