Who performs Tension Headache Botox at Kind Global Clinic Myeongdong?
Tension Headache Botox at Kind Global Clinic Myeongdong is performed personally by 2 licensed Korean co-directors with 20 to 25 minute structured headache differential and zero nurse delegation. Dr. Lee Wonjin (KR Medical License 143124, Daegu Catholic University College of Medicine, 2022) or Dr. Lee Kangin (KR Medical License 141247) personally conducts the consultation, personally performs the chronic tension-type headache versus chronic migraine versus secondary headache differential, personally palpates pericranial muscles to score tenderness pattern, and personally administers the pericranial protocol across frontalis, temporalis, occipitalis and trapezius. The dose distribution decision is never delegated to an assistant. Brand, lot number, exact unit count per muscle, and the patient's headache diary baseline are recorded on each patient's chart at the time of treatment. The patient may request either co-director when booking; if the preferred co-director is unavailable, concierge will offer the alternative or reschedule at no charge. There is no junior-doctor rotation and no third-party technician involvement at any stage of the pericranial protocol.
How long do Tension Headache Botox results last at Kind Global Clinic Myeongdong?
Tension Headache Botox effect peaks at week 2 to 4 and gradually declines through month 4 to 6, which is why the protocol uses a 4 to 6 month re-treatment interval. Each cycle delivers headache day reduction across approximately 4 to 6 months; randomized trial evidence (Cephalalgia Reports 2020, DOI: 10.1177/2515816319899393) documents reduced headache days and pain intensity at the pericranial 60 to 100 unit total dose range; effects declined by week 16 to 24 supporting the 4 to 6 month interval. A 2022 systematic review and meta-analysis (J Headache Pain 2022, DOI: 10.1186/s10194-022-01435-7) reports effect durations typically 3 to 6 months per cycle across pooled chronic TTH studies. For chronic migraine meeting PREEMPT criteria the FDA-approved <a href="/migraine-botox-myeongdong-seoul-korea/">PREEMPT 31-site 155U protocol</a> is the documented indication. For TMJ-related pain see <a href="/tmj-pain-botox-myeongdong-seoul-korea/">TMJ Pain Botox</a>.
How much does Tension Headache Botox cost in Myeongdong Seoul 2026?
Tension Headache Botox at Kind Global Clinic Myeongdong runs KRW 350,000 to 700,000 per cycle depending on pericranial pattern tier. Standard event pricing: light 60U diffuse pattern KRW 350,000 (approx. USD 250); standard 80U chronic TTH pattern KRW 500,000 (USD 357); heavy 100U trapezius-occipital dominant KRW 700,000 (USD 500); two-cycle prepaid bundle at standard pattern KRW 940,000 (USD 671); annual three-cycle plan KRW 1,420,000 (USD 1,014). Korea pricing for pericranial TTH Botox runs 40 to 55 percent less than United States pricing (USD 800 to 1,500 per cycle equivalent at US neurology practices) and 30 to 45 percent less than Japan. Same KRW price applies to international and Korean patients with no surcharge. Korean medical-aesthetic pricing transparency is one driver of the 600,000+ medical tourists Korea attracted in 2023 per KHIDI data.
Tension Headache Botox vs Chronic Migraine PREEMPT Botox — how do the protocols differ?
Both target chronic headache but the indication, evidence quality, dose protocol and FDA status differ substantially. <table><thead><tr><th>Criteria</th><th>Tension Headache Botox</th><th>Migraine PREEMPT Botox</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Indication</td><td>Chronic tension-type headache</td><td>Chronic migraine ≥1 5 HA days/mo</td></tr><tr><td>FDA status</td><td>Off-label (no TTH indication)</td><td>FDA-approved 2010 (Allergan)</td></tr><tr><td>Evidence quality</td><td>Emerging, smaller RCTs</td><td>PREEMPT phase 3 strong</td></tr><tr><td>Total dose</td><td>60-100 units pericranial</td><td>155 units fixed (up to 195U FTP)</td></tr><tr><td>Site count</td><td>~18-26 across 4 muscle groups</td><td>31 sites across 7 muscle groups</td></tr><tr><td>Dosing interval</td><td>Every 4-6 months</td><td>Every 12 weeks fixed</td></tr></tbody></table> The differential at consultation determines protocol. Patients with bilateral pressing tightening pain without nausea at 8+ days per month are well suited for the pericranial TTH protocol. Patients with unilateral or pulsating moderate-to-severe pain with nausea or photophobia and phonophobia at 15+ headache days per month with 8+ migrainous days are well suited for <a href="/migraine-botox-myeongdong-seoul-korea/">PREEMPT Migraine Botox</a>. Mixed-pattern patients are categorised by the dominant headache type and managed under neurology guidance.
Tension Headache Botox vs oral preventives (amitriptyline) — which fits which patient?
Amitriptyline at 10 to 75 mg nightly is the documented first-line oral preventive for chronic tension-type headache and many patients do well on amitriptyline alone. Pericranial Botox is typically considered when amitriptyline has not produced adequate response or has been limited by sedation, weight gain or anticholinergic effect. <table><thead><tr><th>Criteria</th><th>Tension Headache Botox</th><th>Amitriptyline</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Line of therapy</td><td>Second line after oral preventive</td><td>First line oral preventive</td></tr><tr><td>Mechanism</td><td>Pericranial NMJ blockade</td><td>TCA antidepressant pathway</td></tr><tr><td>Frequency</td><td>Every 4-6 months injection</td><td>Daily oral</td></tr><tr><td>Onset</td><td>Week 2-4</td><td>4-8 weeks for steady state</td></tr><tr><td>Side effects</td><td>Local injection, neck stiffness</td><td>Sedation, weight, anticholinergic</td></tr><tr><td>Cost cycle</td><td>KRW 350-700k per 4-6 months</td><td>Generic, low cost monthly</td></tr></tbody></table> Botox is well suited when oral compliance is hard, when sedation or other oral side effects limit dosing, or when documented pericranial muscle tenderness is the dominant pattern. Amitriptyline is well suited as first-line because of cost and decades of clinical use. Many patients combine Botox with amitriptyline at a reduced dose under neurology guidance. <a href="/trapezius-botox-myeongdong-seoul-korea/">Trapezius Botox</a> is a narrower option when shoulder-line tension is the dominant trigger.
How painful is Tension Headache Botox at Kind Global?
Most patients rate Tension Headache Botox injection at 3 to 5 out of 10 across the 18 to 26 points pericranial protocol — discomfort is distributed across many sites at low per-point volume (2.5 to 5 units each) rather than concentrated at one painful point. The injection uses a 30G needle at intramuscular depth (varies by muscle: frontalis 3 to 5 millimeters, temporalis 5 to 8 millimeters, occipitalis 8 to 12 millimeters, trapezius 10 to 15 millimeters). Topical lidocaine 4 percent is applied across forehead, temples, occipital region and trapezius for 15 to 20 minutes; vibration anesthesia is offered to sensitive patients at no extra charge. Most patients describe the trapezius and occipital points as the most pressure-heavy and the frontalis points as the lightest. Patients who have tried <a href="/trapezius-botox-myeongdong-seoul-korea/">Trapezius Botox</a> typically describe the pericranial protocol as similar trapezius sensation distributed across more sites. Patients who have tried <a href="/migraine-botox-myeongdong-seoul-korea/">Migraine PREEMPT</a> usually find pericranial TTH similar at fewer sites. Total injection contact time is 10 to 15 minutes.
What are the side effects and risks of Tension Headache Botox?
Tension Headache Botox at the 60 to 100 unit pericranial dose range is documented as low-risk when administered by licensed physicians. Common temporary effects: tiny injection-site marks 1 to 2 hours, mild forehead, occipital or neck soreness 12 to 48 hours, faint pinpoint bruise at 1 to 3 sites in 5 to 10 percent of patients. Less common: eyelid heaviness from frontalis dose under 1 percent (self-resolves over 2 to 4 weeks); transient mild neck stiffness 3 to 7 days in 5 percent at the heavier trapezius doses; transient shoulder weakness at maximal lifting under 1 percent (self-resolves over 2 to 4 weeks). Systematic review evidence (J Headache Pain 2022, DOI: 10.1186/s10194-022-01435-7) reports adverse events predominantly local and transient with no serious events attributed to the standard pericranial dose range. Contraindications include pregnancy, breastfeeding, active infection at injection sites, neuromuscular disorders (myasthenia gravis, Lambert-Eaton), known hypersensitivity to botulinum toxin type A or human albumin, and secondary headache disorders requiring neurology workup. Patients are informed that TTH is an off-label indication relative to the FDA-approved chronic migraine indication.
Is the toxin brand at Kind Global Clinic original?
Yes — Kind Global Clinic Myeongdong uses only original, unopened, in-date botulinum toxin type A vials from Allergan Botox, Merz Xeomin, Medytox Coretox or KFDA-cleared domestic toxin per patient brand preference. Each sealed vial has a unique lot number, manufacturing date and expiry date printed on the package. Kind Global records the brand, lot number, exact unit count per muscle and expiry on your patient chart at the time of injection. On request before reconstitution, we will show you the unopened sealed vials so you can verify lot and brand. Reconstitution uses preservative-free saline within 4 hours per manufacturer guidance. For chronic migraine PREEMPT protocol Allergan Botox is required to match the FDA-approved indication. For chronic TTH pericranial protocol (off-label) brand selection is patient preference; differences across approved brands at the pericranial dose range are not clinically significant in the TTH literature.
How many sessions are needed and when do Tension Headache Botox results appear?
Tension Headache Botox is administered as a single pericranial session per cycle, repeated every 4 to 6 months. Effect onset begins at week 1 to 2 with peak pericranial muscle relaxation and headache day reduction at week 2 to 4 per randomized trial evidence (Cephalalgia Reports 2020, DOI: 10.1177/2515816319899393). Headache day frequency typically drops by 25 to 40 percent in responders by week 4 and pain intensity on headache days drops by similar percentage. Effect plateaus through month 2 to 4 then gradually declines as neuromuscular junction recovers by month 4 to 6. Two to three cycles establishes the patient's individual durability pattern and confirms whether frontal-dominant or occipital-trapezius-dominant dose distribution fits the symptom pattern. Some patients need a 5 to 10 unit shift across the four muscle groups at cycle 2 based on the cycle 1 symptom-return profile. Continue oral preventives and PT throughout cycles per your neurology plan.
Can I get Tension Headache Botox as a same-day procedure when visiting Seoul?
Yes — same-day Tension Headache Botox is available at Kind Global Clinic Myeongdong for international visitors who can submit a 4-week headache diary in advance via WhatsApp, LINE Official or WeChat for co-director pre-review. Plan 75 to 95 minutes in clinic: 20 to 25 minutes co-director consultation with diary review and headache differential, 15 to 20 minutes topical lidocaine across forehead, temples, occiput and trapezius, 10 to 15 minutes pericranial injection across 18 to 26 points, 10 to 15 minutes aftercare brief with next-cycle scheduling. Flying home the next day is fine — pericranial Botox has no pressure-related contraindication and does not affect cabin altitude tolerance. We recommend avoiding head, neck or shoulder massage and sauna for 24 hours, and avoiding heavy upper-body exercise for 24 hours. Continue all current oral preventive and abortive medications unless your prescribing neurologist directs otherwise. Many international patients combine TTH Botox with the cosmetic upper-face cycle in the same trip — see the combination FAQ.
Do you have English-speaking staff and translators for Tension Headache consultation?
Yes — both Kind Global Clinic co-directors conduct Tension Headache consultations directly in Korean and English at our Myeongdong 6F location. For Japanese, Spanish, Simplified Chinese and Traditional Chinese, HEIM Global concierge provides professional medical interpretation at no additional fee — message via WhatsApp Business, LINE Official, WeChat Official or Telegram before your visit to schedule. Pre-treatment interpretation covers headache diary review (TTH criteria, frequency, intensity, associated features), TTH versus migraine differential, prior oral preventive trials, current oral preventive and abortive regimen, secondary headache red-flag screen, and pericranial muscle palpation findings. Post-treatment interpretation covers aftercare and the month-4 to month-6 next-cycle plan. Written treatment summaries with brand, lot number, per-muscle unit counts and aftercare instructions are provided in your language for sharing with your home neurologist. For Arabic, Vietnamese, Thai or Russian, contact us via email at info.kindglobal@gmail.com to request a contracted interpreter for your visit window. KHIDI 2025 Medical Tourism Survey notes language accessibility is a top-3 factor for international patients selecting Korean clinics.
Can I combine Tension Headache Botox with Migraine, Trapezius, facial Botox or jaw Botox in the same visit?
Same-visit Tension Headache Botox plus other indications is possible at Kind Global Clinic Myeongdong, constrained by the FDA single-session 400 unit total guideline. TTH standard pattern uses 80 units; heavy pattern uses 100 units. <table><thead><tr><th>Criteria</th><th>Tension Headache Botox</th><th>Combined toxin plan</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>TTH standard pattern</td><td>80 units</td><td>TTH + add-on</td></tr><tr><td>TTH heavy pattern</td><td>100 units</td><td>TTH + add-on</td></tr><tr><td>Single-visit ceiling</td><td>400 units total guideline</td><td>400 units total guideline</td></tr><tr><td>Add Baby Botox</td><td>Light upper face 20U add</td><td>Fits within ceiling</td></tr><tr><td>Add Jaw aesthetic</td><td>40-60U bilateral add</td><td>Fits within ceiling</td></tr><tr><td>PREEMPT migraine overlap</td><td>PREEMPT covers TTH muscles too</td><td>Use PREEMPT alone for migraine</td></tr></tbody></table> Patients meeting both chronic TTH and chronic migraine criteria are usually treated on the broader <a href="/migraine-botox-myeongdong-seoul-korea/">PREEMPT Migraine Botox</a> protocol because PREEMPT already covers frontalis, temporalis, occipitalis and trapezius. Adding <a href="/trapezius-botox-myeongdong-seoul-korea/">Trapezius Botox</a> at higher per-side dose is workable when shoulder-line dominance exceeds the TTH protocol coverage. Combining with <a href="/jaw-botox-myeongdong-seoul-korea/">Jaw Botox</a> for V-line slimming fits comfortably. Your co-director plans the sequence based on total unit budget.
Will Tension Headache Botox affect my facial expressions or eyebrow position?
TTH Botox at the pericranial protocol includes a frontalis component (10 to 20 units total bilateral across 4 points per side) that overlaps with cosmetic upper-face indications, so some patients notice a mild cosmetic softening as a side effect. The cosmetic effect is incidental rather than the design goal — the per-point frontalis dose (2.5 to 5 units) is calibrated for muscle relaxation in the TTH protocol rather than maximum cosmetic effect. Most patients describe a subtle reduction in horizontal forehead lines rather than a frozen appearance. Eyelid heaviness from frontalis dose was under 1 percent in pericranial TTH studies and typically self-resolves over 2 to 4 weeks. Patients who want stronger or more targeted cosmetic upper-face effect can layer <a href="/baby-botox-myeongdong-seoul-korea/">Baby Botox</a> within the FDA single-session 400 unit ceiling. Patients who want minimal cosmetic change can discuss with the co-director whether to lower the frontalis component to 10 units total bilateral; this preserves most of the headache effect because the temporalis-occipitalis-trapezius coverage carries the majority of the headache-day reduction in pericranial protocols.
How do I know if I have tension-type headache versus chronic migraine?
The distinction follows the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-3) criteria and matters because the treatment protocols differ. Tension-type headache (TTH) is bilateral, pressing or tightening quality, mild to moderate intensity, not aggravated by routine physical activity, and not accompanied by nausea (mild photophobia or phonophobia may occur in chronic TTH but not both together). Chronic TTH means 15 or more headache days per month for at least 3 months. Migraine is typically unilateral or pulsating quality, moderate to severe intensity, aggravated by routine physical activity, and accompanied by nausea or by photophobia and phonophobia together. Chronic migraine means 15 or more headache days per month with 8 or more migrainous days. Many patients have both patterns and are classified by the dominant headache type and the time profile. The 4-week headache diary you bring to consultation logs pain quality, laterality, intensity, associated features and trigger pattern so the co-director can apply ICHD-3 categorisation. Secondary headache red-flag features (sudden severe onset, neurologic deficit, fever, age over 50 first onset, trauma history) trigger neurology workup before any Botox protocol. The pericranial TTH protocol described on this page and the <a href="/migraine-botox-myeongdong-seoul-korea/">PREEMPT chronic migraine protocol</a> are distinct treatments calibrated to distinct indications.
How do I prepare for my Tension Headache Botox appointment at Kind Global?
Before Tension Headache Botox: maintain a daily headache diary for at least 4 weeks pre-treatment recording headache days, pain quality (pressing vs pulsating), intensity 0-10, laterality (bilateral vs unilateral), associated features (nausea, photophobia, phonophobia), abortive medication use, and likely triggers. Bring records of your prior oral preventive medication trials (amitriptyline, mirtazapine, NSAID daily, others) including drug name, dose, duration and reason for stopping. Avoid aspirin, ibuprofen, fish oil, vitamin E, ginkgo and alcohol for 48 hours pre-treatment to reduce minor bruising risk where your prescriber agrees. Continue all current oral preventive and abortive medications including the day of treatment unless your prescribing neurologist directs otherwise. Eat a normal meal — the procedure is not performed under sedation. Wear a loose top with wide neckline or button-front shirt for easy neck and shoulder access. Arrive at Kind Global Clinic Myeongdong 15 minutes early for paperwork; if you messaged us in advance via WhatsApp, LINE or WeChat with your headache diary, paperwork is pre-completed and pericranial pattern is pre-planned. After Tension Headache Botox: no head, neck or shoulder massage 48 hours, no sauna or hot bath 24 hours, no heavy upper-body exercise 24 hours, no alcohol 24 hours, no lying flat 4 hours post-injection. Book your month-4 to month-6 next-cycle appointment at the time of injection.