Botulinum toxin treatment for chronic migraine at GLIF Medical is a preventive option offered to select patients, under the supervision of Dr Peguy Télusma, MD, in Montreal.
How the treatment works
Botox® is recognized as a preventive treatment option for certain chronic migraines. The product is injected following a precise protocol, at specific points across the head and neck, aiming to reduce the frequency of migraine episodes in people who meet the established clinical criteria for this indication. This protocol differs from the one used for aesthetic Botox® indications, both in the number of injection points and the distribution of the total dose administered. The protocol covers a defined set of points across specific muscles of the scalp, forehead, and neck, rather than a single targeted area.
Who it’s for
This treatment is for people living with diagnosed chronic migraine for whom other approaches have already been considered. A medical evaluation is always required to determine whether this treatment suits the person’s situation. A referral from a healthcare professional is required; if the person doesn’t have one, a clinic physician must first carry out an evaluation. This initial evaluation takes into account the frequency and history of migraine episodes as well as treatments already tried. Treatment can be coordinated with a neurologist or another healthcare professional already involved in managing the person’s chronic migraine.
What to expect and recovery
The procedure is performed in clinic and takes about 30 minutes. The listed price is $1,500. A return to normal activities is possible immediately after the session; mild discomfort or temporary tenderness at injection points can occur. Firmly rubbing the injected areas in the hours after the procedure is generally best avoided. Treatment is generally repeated at regular intervals, based on the response observed over successive cycles. A migraine diary, kept before and after starting treatment, often helps objectively document how episode frequency changes over time.
Expected results
The goal of the treatment is a reduction in the frequency of chronic migraine episodes, which generally becomes apparent over the following weeks and treatment cycles. Results vary from person to person and no improvement is guaranteed; medical follow-up allows the response to treatment to be assessed over time and the treatment plan adjusted accordingly.
Follow-up and maintenance
This treatment is usually repeated about every three months, a common interval for this medical indication; the exact frequency remains determined by the treating physician based on the response observed at each cycle. Regular follow-up allows the treatment plan to be adjusted if migraine frequency or intensity changes.
A prior medical evaluation is required
This treatment is a distinct medical indication, different from the aesthetic uses of Botox®. A referral from a healthcare professional is required, or an initial evaluation by a clinic physician, before treatment can be considered. This rigor reflects the medical nature of the indication, distinct from a one-time aesthetic treatment.
About chronic migraine
Chronic migraine is medically defined by the presence of headaches on 15 or more days per month, for more than three months, with at least eight of those days showing migrainous features. This clinical definition guides the initial evaluation and the decision on whether to recommend this preventive treatment for a given person.