Condition
Chronic Migraines & Tension Headaches
Chronic migraines and severe tension headaches cause disabling throbbing pain, sensory hypersensitivity, and persistent fatigue. For patients who find oral medications inadequate or poorly tolerated, doctor-led preventive neurotoxin injections target hyperactive cranial and cervical muscles to interrupt pain transmission.
What is Chronic Migraines & Tension Headaches?
Chronic migraine is clinically defined as experiencing headaches on 15 or more days per month for at least 3 months, with at least 8 of those days fulfilling full migraine criteria (throbbing unilateral pain, nausea, photophobia, or phonophobia). Hyper-sensitised peripheral cranial nerves release inflammatory neuro-peptides, creating a persistent feedback loop with the central nervous system. Precise medical botulinum toxin injections at 31 key trigger sites across the forehead, temples, back of the head, and neck inhibit the release of pain transmitters, providing sustained relief.
Common signs and concerns
- Throbbing or pulsating head pain, often concentrated on one side or around temples
- Sensitivity to bright light, sounds, or strong scents during episodes
- Nausea, dizziness, or visual disturbances (aura) preceding head pain
- Tight, vice-like bands across the forehead and deep occipital neck tension
- Headache frequency exceeding 15 days per month
Possible contributing factors
- Neurological central sensitisation and peripheral nerve hyperexcitability
- Severe stress, emotional strain, or irregular sleep cycles
- Hormonal fluctuations (menstrual migraines, perimenopause)
- Cervical spine strain, desk posture, or nocturnal teeth grinding (TMJ link)
- Dietary triggers, dehydration, or weather and barometric pressure shifts
When to seek professional assessment
Arrange an assessment if migraines disrupt your work, family life, or daily functioning, or if preventive oral medications have failed. Any sudden, severe 'thunderclap' headache, headache with high fever, neck stiffness, confusion, or neurological deficit requires emergency medical attention.
How Dr Farzana assesses this concern
Assessment is anatomical rather than product-led. Dr Farzana looks at facial proportion, skin quality, volume distribution and movement, then discusses what is contributing to the appearance you have noticed. Options are explained with their limits, alternatives and recovery, and nothing is treated on the day unless you are comfortable and suitable.
Explore Treatment Options
These are options offered by Dr Farzana that may be discussed for this concern. Which, if any, is appropriate for you is decided only after a private medical assessment.
Suitability and important information
This page is general information only and is not medical advice or a diagnosis. Suitability for any treatment is confirmed at a private medical consultation, including a review of your history, medication and goals. Risks, alternatives, aftercare and realistic outcomes are discussed openly. Results vary between individuals and no treatment is suitable for everyone.
Frequently asked questions
What is the medical difference between a tension headache and a migraine?+
Tension headaches cause a dull, pressing ache like a tight band across the forehead. Migraines involve intense throbbing pain, sensory sensitivity to light and noise, nausea, and can last from hours to days.
How do medical botulinum toxin injections prevent migraines?+
Injections target specific nerve endings around the head and neck, blocking the release of pain signals and inflammatory neuro-chemicals before they reach the central nervous system.
How many injection points are involved?+
The standard clinical protocol involves small, shallow injections across 31 specific anatomical sites across the forehead, temples, crown, occiput, and upper shoulders.
How long does relief last?+
Most patients experience a meaningful reduction in headache frequency and intensity for 12 to 16 weeks, after which maintenance sessions sustain protection.
Where Dr Farzana practises
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Book a private medical consultation with Dr Farzana Khan to discuss your concern, suitability and the options available.
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