Chronic migraine — defined as migraine occurring on 15 or more days per month — is a debilitating neurological condition that severely impacts quality of life. Long-term reliance on pain medications can lead to medication-overuse headache, creating a vicious cycle. Botulinum toxin injection for chronic migraine is recognized by neurological guidelines in multiple countries and was FDA-approved for this indication in 2010. The mechanism involves blocking pain signal transmission from scalp and neck muscles to trigeminal nerve pathways, inhibiting migraine episodes at the source. Rappoel Clinic offers Coretox (Korea’s 4th-generation botulinum toxin) chronic migraine injection therapy to help patients reclaim their normal lives.
How Botulinum Toxin Treats Chronic Migraine
- Mechanism: Injections at specific muscle groups in the scalp, forehead, temples, and posterior neck block these muscles from transmitting pain signals to the trigeminal nerve, thereby preventing and reducing migraine episodes
- Prevention, Not Symptom Relief: Unlike pain medications, botulinum injections do not relieve symptoms during an attack — they continuously prevent future migraine occurrence
- Results Timeline: Effects typically begin 2-4 weeks after the first injection; 2-3 cycles (every 3 months) are needed for optimal results
- Clinical Evidence: Multiple large clinical trials (including the PREEMPT study) demonstrate that botulinum injection reduces headache days in chronic migraine patients by an average of 8-9 days per month (approximately 50% reduction)
Rappoel’s Coretox Migraine Protocol
- Pre-Treatment Assessment: Detailed medical history of headache frequency, pattern, triggers, and medications; evaluation of suitability for botulinum treatment (suitable for chronic migraine; acute migraine patients require separate assessment)
- Standardized Injection Protocol: Following the PREEMPT clinical protocol, precise injections at 31-39 fixed locations across the scalp and neck, each with a very small dose
- Treatment Time: Approximately 20-30 minutes
- Post-Treatment: No special care required; immediate return to normal activities; mild scalp tenderness may occur and subsides within days
- Maintenance: Injections every 3 months; most patients achieve effective migraine control after 2-3 consecutive cycles
Ideal Candidates
- Diagnosed with chronic migraine (15+ headache days/month, with 8+ being migraine days)
- Inadequate response to oral preventive medications or intolerable side effects
- Prolonged pain medication use with concerns about dependency
- Migraine significantly impairs work and quality of life
Note: Botulinum toxin treatment for migraine is a medical procedure requiring evaluation by a qualified physician with neurology or dermatology expertise. Rappoel Clinic’s doctors conduct a thorough medical history assessment before treatment to ensure the treatment plan is appropriate for each patient’s specific condition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Free yourself from chronic migraine — Contact Rappoel Clinic Seoul for a Coretox headache consultation
📍 77, Seocho-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul, South Korea
🕐 Mon–Fri 10:00–19:00 · Sat 10:00–17:00
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