Although we all think that Botox is a beauty treatment used to prevent wrinkles, in fact it is a powerful tool in the fight against pain. In fact there are a number of conditions that can be treated with Botox and increasingly more and more conditions are presenting as being suitable for treatment with Botox. Migraines, cerebral palsy, feet problems and back conditions have all been successfully treated using Botox.
It is also a great way of ensuring that the pain is eliminated for some time, but it is not a first choice when it comes to pain management, it is usually used after more traditional forms of pain management have been used.
Botox In Action:
Botox works in a complex manner. It effectively works in a process that has 3 different stages.
The first is that it blocks the neuromuscular transmission that is, in effect, the conduction from the nerve to the muscle. So the pain is eliminated. The second part of the process of new nerve terminals sprouting. This then results in the neuromuscular transmission from the nerve to the muscle being re-established; but this time without the pain.
The amounts used are negligible, so patients do not have to fear that the use of Botox will result in their being paralysed. It is used to specifically treat different nerves, as opposed to a large area within the body.
Conditions That Respond To Botox
Cervical dystonia responds well to Botox. It is a condition where the head is in an abnormal position and there is pain within the head, neck and upper shoulder area.
Cerebral Palsy– People who have cerebral palsy can often have involuntary spasm movements; Botox can help alleviate these; it simply stops the spasms and so provides relief.
Migraines – People who experience chronic and frequent migraines often find that Botox can be an exceptionally useful treatment, since it stops the pain signals being transmitted.
Neck Pain/Head Pain– Both neck and general head pain can be treated effectively with Botox as per migraines.
Fibromyalgia – There is no definitive clinical trial that specifies that Botox is an effective treatment for fibromyalgia, however, when it has been used, it is generally regarded as being effective, especially with regard to myofascial pain syndrome, which is often a symptom of fibromyalgia. Because Botox paralyses the muscles, it reduces the pain and provides relief for a period of 3 months or so.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome – Chronic fatigue syndrome may also respond to Botox, but again, this is not universally accepted as a treatment, it is still in the early stages of use for this condition and further investigation is required.
Treatment For Diabetic Neuropathy in the Feet or Feet Affected By High Heels – Both diabetic neuropathy (in the feet) and high heels can cause a lot of damage to feet which can now successfully be treated with Botox; the damaged nerves no longer transmit pain signals and as such it is an effective treatment.
Future For Botox:
It is likely that the use of Botox will increase significantly as its use becomes more prevalent and it will cease to be regarded as something ‘different’ but instead it will be viewed as a mainstream treatment for a whole variety of conditions.
