For chronic migraine — headaches on 15 or more days per month — botulinum toxin injected in a standardised protocol across the head, neck and shoulders can reduce headache frequency and severity. It is a medical treatment, assessed and performed by a doctor.
Was ist das?
- The PREEMPT protocol distributes toxin over 31 or more points across the forehead, temples, back of the head, neck and shoulders.
- It reduces the release of pain-signalling neuropeptides and relieves muscular trigger points — it is preventive, not a rescue treatment for an attack in progress.
Für wen geeignet
- Chronic migraine diagnosed by frequency and pattern
- Patients whose oral preventive medication is insufficient or poorly tolerated
- Tension-type headache with a strong muscular component may also benefit
- Not suitable in pregnancy, neuromuscular disease, or when headaches have not been medically evaluated
Verwendete Produkte
Original licensed botulinum toxin type A, dosed according to the standard protocol
Ablauf der Behandlung
- Headache history, diary review and neurological screening; referral if red-flag symptoms are present.
- Standardised injection pattern across defined muscle groups.
- Session repeated at 12-week intervals.
Sicherheit
- Neck dosing must respect anatomy to avoid neck weakness.
- Any new, severe or atypical headache pattern is investigated before treatment.
Vor dem Termin
Bring a headache diary of the last 1–3 months and a list of current medication.
Nachsorge
Avoid massaging the neck for 24 hours; normal activity otherwise.
Ergebnis und Haltbarkeit
- Benefit usually starts within 2–4 weeks.
- The full picture is judged after two cycles (about six months).
- Many patients report fewer headache days and lower painkiller use.
Mögliche Nebenwirkungen und Risiken
Neck stiffness or weakness, temporary brow heaviness, bruising, injection-site pain.
Kontrolle
Headache-day tracking between sessions and a structured review at each 12-week visit.
Fragen zu dieser Behandlung
Is this the same as cosmetic botox?
Same molecule, different protocol, dose and purpose. The migraine protocol covers head, neck and shoulders.
Will it stop a migraine attack?
No. It is preventive treatment that reduces how often and how severely attacks occur.
How long before I know if it works?
Two treatment cycles — roughly six months — is the accepted assessment window.