If you’ve ever experienced a migraine, you know it’s not just a headache. Migraines are often intense, recurring, and can interfere with your ability to function—at work, at home, and even in moments of rest.
At Northwest Family Clinics, we take migraines seriously and work with each patient to understand their triggers and develop a treatment plan that brings real relief. Whether your migraines are occasional or chronic, there are a variety of ways to manage symptoms and reduce their frequency.
Learn more about the stages of migraines, causes, and more here.
Let’s dive deeper into what you should know about today’s most effective migraine treatment options—including a look at how vision health and even Botox might play a role in your care.
Common Treatment Options for Migraines
Because migraines affect people differently, treatment often depends on your specific symptoms, triggers, and how often migraines occur. Common treatment approaches include:
Lifestyle and Trigger Management
Understanding what causes your migraines is key. Common triggers include:
- Stress
- Lack of sleep
- Dehydration
- Certain foods or drinks (like aged cheese or wine)
- Hormonal changes
- Bright or flickering lights
Tracking your symptoms in a migraine journal can help identify patterns and allow you and your doctor to decide on lifestyle changes that might help prevent attacks from starting.
Medications
There are two categories of migraine medications:
- Abortive treatments: Taken at the onset or during a migraine to stop symptoms, such as triptans or NSAIDs.
- Preventive medications: Taken daily to reduce the frequency or severity of migraines. These may include blood pressure medications, antidepressants, or anti-seizure drugs.
If you're getting migraines more than once a week or they last several days, preventive therapy may be worth exploring with your provider.
The Vision Connection: When to See an Eye Doctor
Migraines often involve visual symptoms. These may include:
- Blurred or distorted vision
- Flashes of light or zigzag patterns (called “aura”)
- Sensitivity to light (photophobia)
In some cases, migraines may even begin with visual changes before any pain begins.
If you're experiencing frequent visual symptoms, it’s important to rule out any underlying eye or neurological issues. That’s why we recommend seeing a trusted eye care provider, like our trusted friends at Crystal Vision Clinic.
Their team can perform a comprehensive eye exam to ensure there’s no vision-related cause contributing to your migraines. Sometimes, issues like eye strain, dry eyes, or uncorrected vision can make headaches worse—especially for those who spend long hours in front of a screen.
Taking care of your eyes is a key part of taking care of your head.
Botox for Chronic Migraines: How It Works
You might be surprised to learn that Botox—yes, the same Botox used in cosmetic procedures—is FDA-approved to treat chronic migraines.
Here’s how it works:
- Botox is injected into specific areas of the head and neck.
- It helps block the release of chemicals involved in pain transmission.
- It’s typically given every 12 weeks and may take several treatments to reach full effectiveness.
Botox is generally recommended for chronic migraine sufferers, meaning individuals who experience 15 or more headache days per month, with at least 8 of those being migraine days.
The treatment is safe, minimally invasive, and many patients report a significant reduction in the number of migraines they experience each month. At Northwest Family Clinics, we offer Botox treatments for qualifying patients and are happy to discuss whether it's the right fit for your care plan.
When to Seek Help
If you’re experiencing frequent migraines, missing work or activities, or finding that over-the-counter medications just aren’t cutting it, it’s time to talk to your doctor.
We’ll work with you to:
- Identify your unique migraine pattern
- Recommend lifestyle changes
- Explore medication or advanced options like Botox
- Collaborate with specialists, including eye doctors when needed
Our goal is simple: to help you feel better and regain control of your days.
Ready to explore your migraine treatment options?
Call us today to schedule a visit with one of our compassionate providers at Northwest Family Clinics.
And if your migraines include visual symptoms, we encourage you to schedule a comprehensive eye exam with our trusted partners at Crystal Vision Clinic—because clear vision and headache relief often go hand in hand.