While many people think of cosmetic uses when thinking of BOTOX® injections, BOTOX® can also be used to treat pain. In fact, some medical experts believe that BOTOX® is a better pain reliever than other traditional oral medicines (such as aspirin) because it has fewer associated side effects.
BOTOX® is the brand name for botulinum toxin type A, a purified protein produced from a toxin that causes food poisoning. Although BOTOX® is derived from a toxin, the injectable medication is safe when properly administered by a doctor.
Although the medical community has found numerous uses for BOTOX®, ranging from treatments for wrinkles to pain relief, BOTOX® injections have only received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treatment of:
One use that BOTOX® has not yet received FDA approval for is the treatment of migraines. However, various studies have found BOTOX® injections effective for the treatment of migraines and other headaches.
For the treatment of migraines, BOTOX®:
Keep in mind that many private insurers don't cover BOTOX® injections.
BOTOX® injections can also be used to treat soft tissue pain in the head and neck. Doctors state that BOTOX® injections are most effective in the treatment of pain when used in conjunction with physical therapy.
BOTOX® works by reducing the amount of neurotransmitters in your body to relax your muscles. Similarly, these injections dull the nervous system, producing a pain-killing effect.
Studies and clinical trials have found that BOTOX® side effects are rare and tend to occur less frequently than side effects from oral medications. When used for pain relief, BOTOX® side effects include:
Like many treatments, BOTOX® isn't appropriate for everyone. BOTOX® is not recommended for patients who:
Along with having fewer associated side effects, BOTOX® injections are also less expensive than traditional therapies used to treat chronic headaches. Overall, BOTOX® injections are an effective method of pain relief.
In one study, patients received two to five BOTOX® injections every three months. Many of these patients had tried and been failed by standard headache and migraine therapies.
During this study:
Although BOTOX® injections do not help all patients treated, the use of BOTOX® for pain relief is a viable solution for many.
About.com Medical Review Board (n.d.). Report: Botox for Head Pain, Largest Study Yet. Retrieved August 25, 2007, from the About.com Web site: http://headaches.about.com/cs/prevention/a/ahs03_botox.htm.
Botox Cosmetic (n.d.). Side Effects of Botox® Cosmetic. Retrieved August 25, 2007 from the Botox® Cosmetic Web site: http://botoxcosmetic.com/botox_safety/side_effects.aspx.
Lewis, Carol (2002, July-August). Botox Cosmetic: A Look at Looking Good. Retrieved August 26, 2007 from the FDA Web site: http://www.fda.gov/fdac/features/2002/402_botox.html.
Mayo Clinic (2007). Botulinum Toxin Type A (Intramuscular Route). Retrieved August 26, 2007, from the Mayo Clinic Web site: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/drug-information/DR601801.
Mayo Clinic (2005). Chronic Migraine Patients May Find Relief in Botox Therapy. Retrieved August 25, 2007, from the Mayo Clinic Web site: http://www.mayoclinic.org/news2005-sct/2760.html.
UCLA Health (2005). Botox Eases Pain in Head and Neck. Retrieved August 25, 2007, from the UCLA Health System Web site: http://www.uclahealth.org/body.cfm?xyzpdqabc=0
Tree.com provides information on health-related topics, not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment recommendations. Please consult your physician if you have questions or concerns.