Botox is said to help with chronic migraines

The neurotoxin Botox should help, according to study results in chronic migraine.

(22.08.2010) People with chronic migraines may hope to be treated with the neurotoxin Botox (botulinum toxin) in the future. That's what experts at the Association of the German Migraine and Headache Society (DMKG) say. Botulinum toxin is used in a very high concentration, it should prevent severe headaches and migraine attacks.

In the medical journal "Cephalalgia", scientists had reported on their study results. It has been observed in a series of experiments that the injection of Botox into the head and neck musculature can greatly reduce the symptoms of migraine. In addition, the subjects would have had to take less conventional headache tablets than they did the Botox therapy. If the Botox treatment is used correctly and specialized, the side effects should be correspondingly low, according to the DMKG.

However, migraine and headache experts point out that not all migraine sufferers can be successfully treated with Botox. Thus, the symptoms are only reduced in patients who suffer from chronic migraine. "Treatment with botulinum toxin does not help with normal migraine and tension-type headache, but only with the daily or almost daily chronic forms," ​​says Professor Arne May.

A total of 1380 subjects participated in the study. The study participants were each divided into two groups. One group each received 31 injections of Botox. The other group was given ineffective placebo. Botulinum toxin was injected in each of the seven different muscles in the first group. Within a 24-week double-blind phase there were two such cycles. After 6 months of treatment, nearly half of the subjects said they had at least fifty percent fewer days of headache. In the drug-free group, participants said they had up to 35 percent less headache.

So far, it is still unclear why the drug "botulinum toxin" in chronic migraine attacks is effective. Currently the treatment is not allowed in Germany. According to the DMKG, an early approval is expected. Currently, Botox therapy is only possible in specialized practices or centers. In the UK, migraine therapy for Botox in chronic migraine was approved in July 2010.

About 10 percent suffer from migraine attacks in Germany. Migraine is very common in women especially. About three times as many women suffer from migraines than men. About 20 to 30 percent of migraine patients have aura symptoms in addition to headaches. Aura complaints go beyond the actual headache. Patients develop tunnel vision during a migraine attack, develop photosensitivity, and experience tingling in the arms and / or legs. There are also severe speech impediments, dizziness and nausea.

In natural medicine, good results have already been achieved in the treatment of tension-type headaches and migraines. To do this, the therapist (alternative practitioner or doctor) first has to find out in the amnesis what the cause of the pain is. In a disturbed intestinal flora, this is purified and built with healthy bacteria (intestinal dysbiosis). Also, excretory methods (e.g., cupping), fasting, biofeedback, homeopathy, neural therapy, osteopathy, relaxation methods, arm and foot baths, and acupuncture are used in naturopathy. (Sb)

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