RUTHERFORD COUNTY, TN - Botox is widely known for smoothing out wrinkles, but many doctors utilize it on patients who complain of ongoing headaches... That was Dr. Craig McCabe of McCabe Vision Center.
Doctors throughout the Volunteer State see patients who suffer from migraine headaches on a regular basis, but the problem appears to be significantly worse in Middle and East Tennessee, according to studies released year after year. In fact, Middle Tennessee has appeared on lists highlighting the “The 10 Worst Migraine Cities in the U.S.” for more than a decade. Researchers say there are several reasons for the high number of headache sufferers in the Nashville–Murfreesboro–Franklin metropolitan area.
Some of the reasoning behind headaches in Middle Tennessee are blamed on the ever-changing barometric pressure shift, or the weight of the air in the atmosphere that presses down on the earths surface. This change of pressure is caused by altitude and weather or weather patterns - and Middle Tennessee has lot's of both! From stormy or rainy days to sun-filled summers, there are changes in seasons and changes in weather that lead to headache pain. On clear days or nights, the barometric pressure is higher, leading to fewer headaches. On rainy, cloudy days or even days/nights filled with snow, the barometric pressure is much lower, leading to an increase in headaches.
If you’ve lived in Tennessee for more than two or three days, you’ve likely realized that changes in weather, temperatures, and forecasts happen often. With those changes can come headaches caused by variations in barometric pressure.
But where does Botox fit into the picture of helping those with headaches and what kind of headaches are helped by Botox? Dr. McCabe, a Murfreesboro, Tennessee, physician, said Botox works best for patients who report their headache pain primarily in the front forehead area...
Of the long list that detail the many causes of headaches, the local eye doctor says very few headaches are caused by eye related problems...
As for Botox, the injections work by relaxing certain muscles and blocking pain signals that trigger frequent headaches. Patients who get Botox for medical reasons often receive small injections around the forehead, scalp, neck, and shoulders, which are also common problem areas that can lead to headache pain...
Botox also reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles in the treated areas, offering a cosmetic benefit along with medical relief, as noted by Dr. McCabe. But he and other doctors stress that Botox for headaches is a prescription medical treatment and should only be given by qualified medical professionals. While it is not a cure for migraines, many patients find it to be a helpful option when other treatments have not worked.
- Past Study of Botox Use for Patients with Headaches: National Library of Medicine
- Hear our Most Recent Podcast with Dr. McCabe HERE.
- THE Best Cities for those with Migraine Headaches: Click Here.
- See More Unfriendly Headache Top Ten Cities List HERE.
RECAP: Weather Changes in TN - For those who don’t know, Middle Tennessee is known for experiencing a large number of significant barometric pressure changes, largely due to frequent clashes between differing weather systems. Some have even suggested that Middle Tennessee is a battleground for weather systems, changing almost daily at times. This happens when warm, humid air from the Gulf collides with colder air moving in from the Rockies and the central plains.
Contact: McCabe Vision Center
Online: McCabeVisionCenter.com
Address: 122 Heritage Park Drive, Murfreesboro, TN 37129
Phone Number: 615-904-9024
