Botox

Botox is an injectable substance containing a refined form of botulinum toxin. This refined product is an effective treatment for certain medical conditions, including:

• Chronic migraine
• Dystonia (uncontrollable muscle spasms)
• Spasticity (abnormal muscle tightness)
• Torticollis (twisted neck)
• Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating)
• Blepharospasm (uncontrollable eyelid movements)
• Chronic pain

People are often surprised to hear that Botox has medical uses because it’s best known for its cosmetic application, smoothing out lines and wrinkles. But medical Botox has proven effects that offer many people vital relief from distressing and painful conditions.

Botox stops specific muscles from contracting. It disrupts communication between the nerve cell and the muscle it’s instructing to move.

Botox injections can relax targeted muscles for 12-16 weeks, with some patients continuing to benefit from reduced nerve function for far longer.

Injecting Botox can also disrupt nerve function in patients with chronic pain. These injections can help patients whose pain isn’t responding to other treatments. There’s also evidence to support using Botox to address treatment-resistant depression.

Migraines are severe headaches that recur at intervals. Some people go for years between migraine attacks, while others get migraines multiple times every month. Along with head pain that’s bad enough to leave you unable to function normally, migraines can cause:

• Dizziness
• Weakness
• Trembling
• Nausea and vomiting
• Flashing lights and other visual disturbances

These disabling symptoms can severely limit your ability to study, work, or do many of the activities you enjoy. Medications can often reduce the number of times you get migraines and make them less painful. But not everyone benefits from them.

The Food and Drug Administration has approved Botox to treat patients whose migraines frequently occur — around 15 times a month or more. If you’ve been getting migraines often and medications aren’t delivering results, talk to the Innovation Medical Group Southwest Territory team about Botox injections.

You might need to undergo regular Botox treatments for the best effects. Each injection lasts about three months, but it’s perfectly safe to return for more. Injections every quarter should significantly reduce your migraine pain.