Therapeutic Botox

When you hear Botox you likely think of wrinkles (or rather, the lack of them where they should be). Therapeutic Botox is different; while the positive affects of Botox on wrinkles—Cosmetic Botox– gained notoriety on the early 2000’s Therapeutic Botox is in its relative infancy and new uses are still being uncovered.  Therapeutic Botox is the use of Botox injections to treat a wide range of ailments from Chronic Migraines to Excessive Sweating. We here at Progressive Pain & Rehabilitation are experts at determining whether or not a Therapeutic Botox treatment is right for you.

What is Botox?

Botox injections use the toxin onobotulinumtoxinA to temporarily deaden a muscle. While there are now other drugs that are derived from the botulinum toxin Botox was the first and most commonly used. Although its effects are short-lived, Botox stands out as one of most powerful naturally occurring toxins. Originally used in the early 1980’s to treat strabismus its uses have evolved as our understanding of the toxin, the positive effects of Botox injections, and the safety risks involved have grown. Today Botox is used to treat a wide array of ailments, no longer is Botox “just” a treatment for wrinkles.

Why use Botox?

For cosmetic uses the answer is simple: Botox makes your wrinkles go away. Therapeutic Botox requires a slightly more complex explanation. In short, Botox temporarily blocks certain chemical signals from the nerves that cause muscles to contract. This can reduce pain, relieve tension, and eliminate spasms when administered correctly.

What we treat:

• Chronic Migraines- Migraines are often linked to environmental factors like stress or shock. Migraines can also be caused by physical overexertion, bad posture, and lack of sleep. In treating migraines with Botox the first thing we do is make sure you are a good candidate for the treatment. It is only a guide but, typically, you need to have a history of migraines and experience migraines over 15 days a month. The treatment consists of several shots around the head and neck area to dull or eliminate your migraine pain. Botox works for migraines by blocking or dulling pain transmission from your brain to your body. If you suffer from Chronic Migraines contact us today for a consultation on whether or not Botox may be right for you.
• Spasmodic Torticollis- Spasmodic Torticollis, sometimes called cervical dystonia, is the involuntary and often painful contraction of the muscles in your neck causing your head to twist to one side or the other. While, in most people, the cause of Spasmodic Torticollis is unknown it can be linked to neck, head, and shoulder injuries. As with wrinkles, Botox is used to relax the contracting muscles providing relief for those suffering from Spasmodic Torticollis.

Risks

Don’t let the fact Botox is a toxin keep you from seeking treatment. We here at Progressive Pain & Rehabilitation are experienced in determining whether or not Botox is right for you and at developing the correct treatment plan for you. Botox is relatively safe when administered by a licensed physician. Contact us today to find out if Botox is right for you