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Fringe Benefits
A technique developed by cosmetic surgeons could have a big impact on migraineurs.
By Lesley Reed
COULD GETTING RID OF THE WRINKLES on your forehead also eliminate your migraine headaches? It might sound too good to be true, but a recent study found that 80 % of patients who underwent a cosmetic-type surgery on one of three“ trigger” areas experienced a significant reduction in headache frequency and intensity— even after one year.
The surgery was pioneered by plastic surgeon Bahman Guyuron, MD, chair of the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at University Hospitals Case
Medical Center in Cleveland and former president of the American Association of Plastic Surgeons. A little more than a decade ago, he became intrigued when patients who had brow lifts— cosmetic procedures designed to smooth furrowed brows— reported that their headaches disappeared along with their wrinkles. Since then, he’ s refined his procedures and conducted a number of studies to prove that the controversial technique is effective at controlling migraine pain.
In this new study, reported in 2009 in the journal Plastic Reconstructive Surgery, 69 of 79 patients who received the surgery( 88 %) experienced a positive response— 29 % reported complete elimination of their
12 HEAD WISE | Volume 1, Issue 1 • 2011