Could non-invasive Laser Therapy replace Botox for Migraine?
We’ve talked before about an up-and-coming migraine treatment known as LLLT, or low level laser therapy. This is a non-invasive therapy that uses low level lasers to stimulate cells. It’s a treatment used for other pain conditions as well – read more here: Laser Therapy (LLLT) for Migraine
Researchers in Brazil wanted to investigate how LLLT compares to the more well known Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA) treatment for chronic migraine. Why? Because LLLT could end up being a lot cheaper, for one thing. Also, it’s less invasive than Botox treatment.
The study, published last month, found that LLLT treatment was indeed comparable to Botox. Both did help patients with chronic migraine. One small difference was that patients treated with Botox seems to have a little lower anxiety (as a migraine symptom) after treatment, and those with LLLT seemed to have more improvement in sleep patterns. On the downside, sometimes pain increased initially with Botox treatment, and a few patients complained of a temporary “burning sensation” with the LLLT treatment.
The researchers were quick to point out that this was a small, preliminary study. The study was open label – patients knew what they were getting. They also noted that there was more “human interaction” with the LLLT treatment, something that could improve outcomes.
Due to the newness of LLLT, there is reason to believe outcomes could improve as we learn how to use it. The same is true of Botox, even though it has become more common as a migraine treatment.
Another comparison was the LLLT treatment takes more time. But the monetary savings were still significant.
This is not to say that LLLT would necessarily replace Botox treatment. Botox still may work better for some. But if a cheaper treatment, with less danger of side effects, could be tried first, it may benefit many patients.
More on this study: Botulinum toxin A (BT-A) versus low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in chronic migraine treatment: a comparison