Migraine treatment

Migraine is more than a headache. It is a strong, throbbing pain that affects up to 15% of people in the Czech Republic. Many patients have attacks several times a month, and conventional treatment often brings them only partial relief. That is why at Hello Beauty Clinic in Pilsen we offer treatment for a certain type of migraine with BTX — a method approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and used worldwide for more than 15 years.

How the treatment works

The first step is a free consultation. The doctor will assess the type of headache you have, consider other possible causes and, if needed, recommend an examination by other specialists. At our clinic the injections are given by MUDr. Eva Boháčová, who has many years of experience with BTX and puts great emphasis on patient safety and comfort.

The procedure itself is done on an outpatient basis and needs no special preparation. We use very fine needles, most patients feel only a slight pinch, so no anaesthesia is needed. You can go back to your usual activities straight away; just avoid hot environments and strenuous physical activity for two weeks.

First relief usually comes within 7 to 14 days, the full effect builds up at around week 4 and lasts 3 to 6 months. The treatment can be repeated, and many patients report even greater improvement after two or three cycles.

The most common reaction is mild pain or redness at the injection site. Very rarely, temporary weakness of the neck muscles or a drooping eyelid may occur; this usually wears off on its own within a few weeks.

Migraine treatment at a glance

• Method: BTX injections into the muscles of the glabella (the frown line area)
• Procedure: outpatient, no special preparation needed
• Anaesthesia: not needed; most patients feel only a slight pinch
• Return to normal life: straight away; just avoid heat and strenuous exercise for two weeks
• Onset: first relief usually within 7 to 14 days, full effect at around week 4
• How long it lasts: 3 to 6 months; the treatment can be repeated
• Consultation before treatment: free of charge

Who the treatment is suitable for

The treatment is intended primarily for patients with chronic migraine. Migraine is considered chronic when headache occurs on fifteen or more days a month, with at least eight of those days meeting the criteria for migraine. The typical pattern is a one-sided, throbbing pain of moderate to severe intensity that often gets worse with ordinary physical activity. It may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, increased sensitivity to light or sound, or visual field disturbances.

The treatment is worth considering if:

• you have headaches on fifteen or more days a month and each episode lasts at least four hours,
• conventional preventive treatment (such as beta-blockers or antiepileptic drugs) has not worked for you, or you tolerate it poorly.

The method is suitable for both women and men. In some patients, BTX can reduce the number of days with pain and the intensity of attacks, and cut down on painkillers — without taking tablets every day. Results vary from person to person, however, and cannot be guaranteed.

When we do not recommend the treatment

We do not give BTX treatment during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or while you are taking certain antibiotics. Headache can also have causes other than migraine, so every treatment is preceded by a consultation at which the doctor assesses your health and whether the method is right for you.