Botox Pain Management Injections
Before Botox® was used as a cosmetic, it was FDA-approved for treatment of medical conditions like muscle spasms. This medication is very safe and effective for treatment of many pain conditions that are caused by muscle contractions or spasms. Botox pain management injections are quick and non-invasive with no downtime required. At Allied Pain & Spine Institute, we utilize Botox injections as one of our pain management treatments at our medical center in San Leandro, CA.
Botox is a neuromodulator, which means it impacts the nerve signals to the muscles. When injected into a muscle, Botox can block nerve communication to the muscle that signals it to tighten or contract. This is a temporary condition. Botox can relax muscles for about 3-4 months before the proteins break down into amino acids and are absorbed by the body.
Pain Conditions Treated by Botox
There are a few chronic pain conditions that can benefit from Botox injections. Botox has been approved by the FDA for treatment of multiple types of muscle spasms, from eye spasms and cervical dystonia to muscle spasms associated with cerebral palsy. Muscle spasms can be very painful and impact mobility, and relaxing the overactive muscles can offer relief for many spastic conditions.
Botox injections are also FDA-approved for migraine headache treatment. For many individuals with migraine episodes, Botox treatment can reduce the frequency and severity of migraine attacks, improving their quality of life.
Botox injections are not painful and only require a short office visit. The most common side effects of Botox are redness or swelling at the injection site, but these dissipate quickly in the day or so after treatment. If Botox is effective for pain management, repeated injections can be performed every few months to continue pain relief.
If you have painful muscle spasms or migraine headaches, Botox injections may be an option to manage your pain. To learn more about Botox pain management treatment and whether it is right for you, contact us at Allied Pain & Spine Institute. Call our medical center in San Leandro, CA, to schedule a pain management consultation.