Therapeutic Botox
Botox has been a regulated therapeutic since the 1980s, well before its cosmetic use became widely known. At Whistler Medical Aesthetics, Dr. Sarah Kennea's Faculty-level training in neurotoxin pharmacology supports therapeutic protocols for chronic migraine, primary hyperhidrosis, and TMJ-related jaw tension and bruxism.
What Is Botox Therapeutic And How Does It Work?
The active compound in cosmetic and therapeutic Botox is identical. The difference lies in the indication, the dosing protocol, and the anatomical precision required, with therapeutic applications typically involving more product and more specific injection maps than cosmetic use.
For chronic migraine, the PREEMPT protocol involves 31 injection points across the head, neck, and shoulder muscles, a standardized, evidence-based approach. In clinical trials, patients experienced 8 to 9 fewer headache days per month from baseline at week 24. For hyperhidrosis, precise intradermal mapping of the active sweat gland distribution is required before injections are placed.
Botox is Health Canada-approved for chronic migraine and for severe primary axillary (underarm) hyperhidrosis. Treating bruxism and TMJ-related jaw tension with masseter muscle injections is a widely used, well-established application, though it's considered an off-label use rather than a specific Health Canada-approved indication. Dr. Kennea is PREEMPT-protocol certified with extensive experience across all of these therapeutic applications.
Is Botox Therapeutic Worth It For You?
Botox Therapeutic tends to be the ideal fit for those with:
- Chronic migraine, defined as 15 or more headache days per month, with at least eight meeting migraine criteria
- Primary hyperhidrosis that meaningfully affects quality of life, such as staining clothing, limiting professional or social situations, or causing discomfort that routine antiperspirants don't address
- Bruxism or TMJ-related jaw tension and pain
- A history of trying preventive medications without success, or being unable to tolerate their side effects
Insurance and extended health benefits may apply for therapeutic indications, and our team can assist with this. A detailed consultation, reviewing your history, prior treatments, and goals, is the starting point for every therapeutic Botox patient.
Your Treatment Experience
The migraine PREEMPT protocol takes 30 to 45 minutes, following a standardized injection grid across the scalp, forehead, temples, neck, and upper shoulder muscles. A fine-gauge needle is used, and most patients describe the sensation as brief pinches at each site.
Hyperhidrosis treatment involves plotting the active sweat zones, using starch-iodine mapping if appropriate, followed by precise intradermal injections throughout the affected area. Bruxism and TMJ treatment involves injections into the masseter muscles on each side, typically the most straightforward of the therapeutic applications in terms of comfort and recovery.
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PREEMPT-protocol certified for chronic migraine treatment2
Insurance documentation support for covered therapeutic indications3
Faculty-level precision applied to every therapeutic protocol
Your Trusted Providers
At Whistler Medical Aesthetics, every treatment is physician-directed. Dr. Sarah Kennea and the WMA team bring a standard of care that reflects both deep clinical expertise and the precision standard you expect from Canada's premier mountain destination.
Dr. Tara Lynn Teshima
Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon
Dr. Sarah Kennea
Medical Director
Dr. Natalie Waller ND
Doctor
Krista Stephens
Lead Consultant
Frequently Asked Questions
The clinical threshold is 15 or more headache days per month, with at least eight meeting migraine criteria. Patients who haven't responded to preventive medications, or can't tolerate their side effects, are often excellent candidates.
It may be, since hyperhidrosis is a Health Canada-licensed indication. Our team can help with documentation to support your benefit claim.
Therapeutic Botox requires ongoing treatment cycles. The effect doesn't carry over once the product wears off, and skipping a cycle typically leads to a return of baseline symptoms within weeks.
It's the standardized, evidence-based injection protocol for chronic migraine, involving 31 injection points across the head, neck, and shoulder muscles.
