Botox To Be Used As Pain Reliever

Studies show that Botox may significantly reduce the number of days per month that migraine sufferers experience headaches

By Dena Afrasiabi

We all know Botox can smooth wrinkles, but can it also soothe headaches? The very name conjures images of Hollywood celebs receiving injections to reduce the effects of aging, but it turns out that Botox may do more than make you look younger. According to research studies, Botox may also provide relief for migraine headache sufferers by significantly reducing the number of days per month that chronic migraine sufferers experience headaches.

In one trial, Botox reduced migraine days per month by 7.8 and another trial resulted in 9 fewer days per month. The data was presented at the International Headache Society conference in Philadelphia this weekend, where Cindy McCain spoke on behalf of chronic migraine sufferers across the country, drawing attention to the impact migraines have on the quality of life of those who experience them. "I can hardly begin to describe the number of times I have had to cancel events, tell my family I could not fulfill responsibilities asked of me or even abandoned professional commitments," McCain said at the conference. Allergen Inc., the company responsible for producing Botox, plans to apply for U.S. regulatory approval of the drug for treatment of migraine pain, meaning the approximately 1.2 to 3.6 million people in the U.S. who suffer from chhronic migraine headaches may more easily access an effective treatment for their pain.