Other than eliminating wrinkles and fine lines, did you know that you can use Botox for pain relief? Chronic pain is a global problem, affecting millions of people. There are various treatments for pain, but sometimes it may be hard to find a treatment that works for you. Westfield Botox specialists at Genesis Orthopedic and Spine apply Botox to treat chronic pain effectively. This article will tell how Botox works in relieving pain.
What is Botox?
Most people are aware of Botox as a cosmetic treatment to improve appearance. But did you know it is effective as well in treating pain?
Botox is a natural neurotoxin from the botulinum bacteria. The substance is highly toxic, and when taken without any medical intervention, it may lead to death. However, when used in controlled doses, it is resourceful in the medical world.
Botox acts as a neurolytic agent, where it blocks pain restoring your health. It restricts a neurotransmitter release that blocks muscle contraction through the motor neurons. The same technique applies in cosmetic treatments where Botox inhibits muscle movements, reducing wrinkles appearance.
How does Botox enhance pain relief?
Botox for chronic pain applies mostly in cases where the pain results from myofascial pain, spasms, and damaged or hyperactive nerves. Your provider injects the Botox at the targeted area with pain. Botox destroys the nerves causing pain, enhancing pain relief for some time.
The nerves heal over time, but you may require more Botox injections if your pain cant go away. Botox is an effective treatment for pain conditions giving lasting results.
Which pain conditions can you treat with Botox?
Botox is FDA proven to treat the following medical conditions.
- Upper limb spasticity
- Chronic migraine headaches
- Strabismus (crossed eyes)
- Cervical dystonia
- Blepharospasm (eyelid spasms)
- Axillary hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating)
- An overactive bladder, in the case where anticholinergic medication does not work
Though not yet proven by the FDA, Botox injections have the potential for treating various other conditions. You may use Botox to alleviate the following chronic pain issues.
- Joint pain and osteoarthritis
- Chronic muscle pain
- Maxillofacial pain conditions
- Peripheral neuropathy
What are the benefits of Botox in pain management?
Botox is a minimally invasive treatment; the injections are comfortable and have a lower risk of side effects. The technique has no downtime and provides immediate results.
However, as with most treatments, it’s common to experience side effects. You may encounter pain at the injection site, headaches, drooping and more. You must report to your doctor if you encounter any adverse reaction from Botox.
More studies are still underway for Botox use. Some people may develop allergies or infections at the injection site. In addition, Botox is a bacterial neurotoxin, which may encourage your body to form antibodies against it, making future doses less effective.
Botox provides effective treatments for some chronic pain causes. It also has a big potential in enhancing pain relief in most pain issues. The treatment is painless and has a reduced risk of complications. However, you may encounter some side effects, such as pain, headaches, or an infection at the injection site. It’s best to consult with a medical provider before deciding on Botox as a pain treatment. Call Genesis Orthopedic and Spine for more details on Botox.
