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You’d be hard-pressed to find someone who hasn’t heard of (or even received) cosmetic Botox® treatments. Since the FDA approved Botox to reduce the appearance of wrinkles in 2002, it quickly became a household name.
But many don’t realize that there’s another side to Botox — one that offers those with certain pain conditions a minimally invasive pain management treatment alternative.
Here, Dr. Neel Amin dives deeper into what Botox is and how it can help you find relief from your pain.
Botox is the brand name of a toxin derived from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. Belgian scientist Emile Pierre van Ermengem first discovered it, but it wasn’t until the mid-19th century, when Dr. Edward Schantz finally isolated it in crystalline form, that the power of Botox was realized.
By the 1970s, scientists began using the toxin to treat strabismus (crossed eyes). During their trials, they noticed that the toxin also worked to reduce wrinkles in the area between the eyes known as the glabella.
From there, Botox gained popularity and was subsequently approved for a variety of both medical and cosmetic problems, including reducing the signs of aging, axillary hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating), urinary incontinence, and certain pain conditions.
It may seem strange that a popular wrinkle-fighter can also address a wide range of health problems, but the same science that makes Botox an effective cosmetic treatment is also what makes it a potent pain reducer.
When Dr. Neel Amin injects Botox into the painful areas of your body, the toxin blocks signals from your nerves to your muscles, creating a temporary paralytic effect and allowing tense muscles to relax.
It also has been proven to restrict certain pain-relaying neurotransmitters such as glutamate, which can help to reduce the intensity and duration of your pain.
Botox isn’t a cure, and it isn’t for every type of pain, but it does offer many individuals a way to manage their symptoms without surgery or potentially addictive pain medication.
Dr. Neel Amin conducts a thorough review of your symptoms and health history before recommending Botox pain treatments.
Most often, we use Botox to treat migraines. By delivering targeted injections into your head and neck, Botox helps manage or eliminate migraine pain and, as a result, the other common symptoms of migraines, including light and sound sensitivity and nausea.
Depending on your unique situation, we may also recommend Botox for these painful conditions:
Because it’s minimally invasive, Botox allows you to deal with your pain without sacrificing your other health and wellness goals and gives you the freedom to pursue other pain management options as well. Talk to Dr. Neel Amin about combining Botox with other treatments, such as regenerative medicine and physical therapy.
If Botox pain treatments are right for you, we typically start you with two Botox treatments spaced 12 weeks apart. Botox wears off gradually, so you may need to receive regular treatments every few months to maintain your results.
Many of our patients notice results after four weeks, with the most optimal results developing by the second and third treatments.
If you’d like to see if Botox is right for you, don’t hesitate to call our friendly staff or request an appointment online at our Fort Lauderdale, Florida, office today.