Who Benefits from Injections for Migraines
Migraines are debilitating headaches characterised by intense pulsating pain, nausea, vomiting, and often sensitivity to light and sound, profuse sweating and temperature swings. Visual abnormalities, muscle stiffness, and confusion are common migraine precursors. It can make you sick and immobile. Migraine discomfort can be strong enough to interfere with daily activities for several hours or, in some people, days.
- 20% of Australians will get migraines at some point in their lives.
- Often onsets between the ages 35 and 45.
- Women are affected twice as much as men.
Injections work on the headache part of the migraine, so if other symptoms are more significant and concerning, this may not be the solution for you. However, targeted injections help treat clusters, tension, and chronic migraines. Dr Aj will decide if you’re a candidate for this treatment. There is an initial consultation fee for medical applications of muscle relaxing injections.
What Causes Migraines?
While the exact cause of migraines is unknown, it is generally accepted that preemptive use of muscle-relaxing injections can significantly reduce the frequency and severity of migraine attacks. Many things can induce migraines, even if there isn’t one thing that causes them. These include intense lighting, dehydration, extreme or changing weather, stress, hormonal changes, loud sounds, vigorous exercise, and altered eating and sleeping patterns. Additionally, alcohol and some foods may cause migraines. The foods include pickled and fermented foods like kimchi, sauerkraut and foods and beverages with MSG. Cheese and caffeine-containing ingredients like coffee, tea, and chocolate are also well-known causes of migraines.
Injections for Migraines
This treatment generally relieves headaches for weeks or months.
- This treatment is recommended as preventive therapy for chronic migraines every 12 weeks.
- Small doses are injected via tiny needles into muscles of the head (temples, forehead, back of charge), neck, upper back and even the bridge of the nose, depending on the assessment.
- In clinical trials, first-treatment benefits were apparent in days and lasted up to 3 months.
- Side effects are rare, including causing a temporary headache, redness, nausea, and pain.
Injections for Migraines PBS
Muscle relaxing injections are only PBS-approved for chronic migraine, and to qualify, you must meet the following requirements:
- Must be at least 18 years old.
- Before treatment, 15 or more headache days a month or eight migraine days.
- Have tried and found ineffective, not tolerated or have contraindications to at least three preventative migraine medicines
- As part of managing medication-overuse headaches.
- See a Neurologist
To continue receiving injections for migraines on the PBS, you must reduce headache days by 50% or more after two treatments 12 weeks apart.
Injections for TMJ, Teeth Grinding & Jaw Clenching
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is utilised for speech, eating, swallowing and facial expression. Overworking the TMJ by teeth grinding or jaw clenching (bruxism) can cause severe tension headaches, jaw pain, and even damage to your teeth. Bruxism can also cause unexplained nausea, tinnitus, and migraines.
If muscle tension is causing jaw pain, muscle relaxing injections may help. Muscle relaxants are powerful anti-wrinkle treatment injections. To reduce TMJ pain and symptoms, masseter muscle injections (similar to those used for jaw slimming) and temporalis muscle injection sites are used. This treatment can provide temporary but long-lasting TMJ discomfort alleviation. The first step is a consultation with Dr Aj to determine your suitability. There is a cost of $150 for this, which is partially claimable on Medicare.
- Some people will need dental help to treat malocclusion.
- 3-5 small injections per side; treatment takes 5 minutes
- Can resume regular activity afterwards, rarely bruising, swelling or redness at the injection site.
- Pain alleviation is generally felt within hours and improves over many days.
- A 4-week review ensures complete resolution, and treatment effects last s3-6 months.
- Lifestyle and other triggers may need to be addressed to reduce tension.
- The cost is $750 approx.
Bruxism Symptoms and Signs Include:
- Teeth clenching or grinding loud enough to wake your partner
- Damage to teeth which includes chipped, cracked, flattened or worn down enamel
- Increased sensitivity or pain in the teeth
- Jaw muscles that are tired or tight, or a locked jaw that won’t fully open or close
- Pain or soreness in the jaw, neck, or face
- Dull headache with temple pain or earache.
- Disturbed sleep
Causes of Bruxism
Stress and worry are the main contributors to teeth grinding of the teeth. Other factors include sleep disorders, sleep apnea, snoring, or specific anti-depressant medication.
Book online or call 07 33505447 for a Consult with Dr Aj (no referral required).