Injection treatment for chronic migraines at Spire Edinburgh Hospitals Murrayfield and Shawfair Park

An estimated 1–2% of the population suffers from chronic migraines – defined as experiencing a headache for 15 days a month, eight of which are migraines.

When all other types of treatment for migraines have failed, your GP can refer you to have an injection to provide relief.

Using very fine needles, muscle paralysing injections of the drug botulinum toxin A are given in seven key areas of head and neck to help prevent future migraines.

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You will have a formal consultation with a healthcare professional. During this time you will be able to explain your medical history, symptoms and raise any concerns that you might have.

We will also discuss with you whether any further diagnostic tests, such as scans or blood tests, are needed. Any additional costs will be discussed before further tests are carried out.

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Our dedicated team will also give you tailored advice to follow in the run up to your visit.

If other treatments and at least three prior preventative medications have been unsuccessful in treating your chronic migraine, your GP might suggest you have injection treatment.

Very fine needles deliver the muscle paralysing drug botulinum toxin A to seven key areas in your head and neck. The drug is thought to relax the overactive muscles that cause migraines.

The injections themselves fell like tiny pinpricks and you may feel mild discomfort.

Based on your progress, you and your doctor will discuss repeat treatment every 12 weeks. 

The most common side effect is neck pain but on rare occasions, complications can occur. Other side effects include headache, migraine, slight or partial facial paralysis, eyelid drooping, bronchitis, musculoskeletal stiffness, muscle weakness, ligaments, tendons, or bones, muscle spasms, injection-site pain and high blood pressure.

Your consultant will talk to you about the possible risks and complications of having this procedure and how they apply to you.

If you have any questions or concerns, we're here to help.

We are committed to delivering excellent individual care and customer service across our network of hospitals, clinics and specialist care centres around the UK. Our dedicated and highly trained team aim to achieve consistently excellent results. For us it's more than just treating patients, it's about looking after people.

Important to note

The treatment described on this page may be adapted to meet your individual needs, so it's important to follow your healthcare professional's advice and raise any questions that you may have with them.