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Botox Therapy for Chronic Migraines in Calgary: How It Works and Who It Helps
Living with chronic migraines? KingsCare Medical Clinic in SW Calgary offers Health Canada-approved Botox therapy for chronic migraines, TMJ dysfunction, occipital neuralgia and hyperhidrosis. Learn how it works and whether it's right for you.
If you experience 15 or more headache days a month, you already know what chronic migraines take from you , missed work, cancelled plans, and days lost to dark rooms. What many Calgarians don't know is that there is a proven, Health Canada-approved treatment available, and it doesn't involve adding another daily pill.
At KingsCare Medical Clinic in Southwest Calgary, our Migraine Clinic offers Botox therapy for chronic migraines administered by experienced physicians in a comfortable clinic setting. This guide explains how it works, who qualifies, and what to expect.
What Is Botox Therapy for Migraines?
Most people associate Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA) with cosmetic procedures , but it has been approved by Health Canada for the treatment of chronic migraine since 2011. It is one of the most researched preventive treatments available for migraine sufferers.
Rather than treating a migraine after it starts, Botox therapy works preventively reducing how often migraines occur and how severe they are when they do.
How does it work?
Botox is injected in small, precise doses into specific areas of the head, neck, and shoulders. It works by blocking the release of chemicals involved in pain transmission, effectively interrupting the migraine cycle before it begins. Treatments are typically repeated every 12 weeks.
Who Is a Candidate for Botox Migraine Therapy?
Botox therapy is specifically approved for chronic migraine, which is defined as:
- 15 or more headache days per month
- With at least 8 of those days involving migraine features
- Lasting 4 hours or more per episode
- Persisting for at least 3 months
It is often recommended for patients who have tried other preventive medications without adequate relief, or who cannot tolerate the side effects of daily oral medications.
What Else Do We Treat at the Migraine Clinic?
Botox therapy at KingsCare is not limited to migraines. Our physicians also use targeted Botox treatment for several related conditions:
TMJ Dysfunction
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction causes jaw pain, clicking, tension headaches, and teeth grinding. Botox injections into the jaw muscles can significantly reduce muscle tension and associated pain.
Occipital Neuralgia
This condition causes sharp, shooting pain at the back of the head and upper neck, often mistaken for migraines. Targeted injections can calm the irritated occipital nerves and provide lasting relief.
Hyperhidrosis (Excessive Sweating)
For patients with excessive underarm, hand, or foot sweating that doesn't respond to clinical antiperspirants, Botox offers an effective, long-lasting solution typically providing 4 to 6 months of relief per treatment.
What to Expect at Your Appointment
Step 1 — Consultation
Your first visit is a thorough assessment. Our physician reviews your headache history, previous treatments, frequency patterns, and overall health to confirm whether Botox therapy is right for you.
Step 2 — Treatment
The procedure itself is quick — typically 15 to 20 minutes. Injections are made with a very fine needle at multiple points across the forehead, temples, back of the head, neck, and shoulders. Most patients describe the sensation as brief pinpricks.
Step 3 : Results
Results typically begin within 1 to 2 weeks, with full effect at around 4 to 6 weeks. Many patients notice fewer migraine days, reduced severity, and less reliance on rescue medications. Treatments are repeated every 12 weeks to maintain results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Botox for migraines covered by insurance?
Many private insurance plans in Alberta cover Botox for chronic migraine when medically indicated. Our team can provide the documentation you need for your insurance provider.
Does it hurt?
The needles used are extremely fine, and each injection takes only seconds. Most patients tolerate the procedure very comfortably, no anaesthetic is required.
Are there side effects?
Side effects are generally mild and temporary, most commonly slight soreness at injection sites or mild neck stiffness for a day or two. Your physician will review all details during your consultation.
How is this different from cosmetic Botox?
The medication is the same, but the injection pattern, dosage, and purpose are entirely different. Migraine protocol targets specific nerve and muscle regions involved in headache generation — it is a medical treatment, delivered by physicians.
Why Choose KingsCare's Migraine Clinic?
- Physician-administered every treatment is performed by our experienced medical doctors
- Comprehensive assessment first we confirm the right diagnosis before recommending any treatment
- Convenient SW Calgary location with free parking throughout the plaza
- Coordinated care as a full-service medical clinic, we manage your migraine care alongside your overall health
Take the First Step Toward Relief
Chronic migraines are not something you simply have to live with. If you've been searching for a migraine clinic in Calgary that offers proven, physician-led Botox therapy — KingsCare Medical Clinic is here to help.
KingsCare Medical Clinic
📍 7712 Elbow Dr. SW, Calgary, AB T2V 1K2
🕒 Mon–Fri 8:30 AM–5:00 PM · Sat 9:00 AM–2:00 PM
Relief is possible. Let's talk about your options.
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