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Botox: It’s Not Just a Beauty Treatment

Skilled Pain Care Clinic Blog Botox: It’s Not Just a Beauty Treatment

Botox® was originally developed to treat strabismus — the clinical term for crossed eyes. As ophthalmologists used Botox to relax the abnormal muscle tension that pulls eyes out of alignment, they discovered that their patients’ wrinkles disappeared. The FDA approved Botox for cosmetic purposes in 2002, but over the years, physicians and medical researchers have found many more practical uses, including pain management.

Syed Nasir, MD, our fellowship-trained pain management expert here at Skilled Pain Care Clinic, PA, in Houston and Katy, Texas, offers Botox injections to treat a variety of painful conditions ranging from muscle spasm to migraines. 

What is Botox?

Botox is a serum made from Clostridium botulinum, a dangerous type of food poisoning. It’s a powerful neurotoxin that blocks nerve signals, temporarily weakening, or paralyzing muscles. As a result of these two traits, it can be a powerful pain reliever.

What pain conditions improve with Botox injections?

We provide thorough exams and testing before creating a pain management program. Depending on your specific needs, we might include Botox injections in treatment programs for:

Dr. Nasir might recommend Botox for other painful conditions at his discretion. 

How does Botox relieve pain?

Botox is a neurotoxin — it bonds to your nerves, blocking neurological signals. This not only stops pain signals from traveling between your body and your brain but also relaxes your muscles. One of the most valuable uses of Botox is blocking pain signals. It can alleviate nerve pain, arthritis, and more. 

We can use Botox injections to help spasming muscles relax, relieving neck and back pain, and other muscle pain. If cortisone shots have relieved trigger point pain, Botox could potentially provide longer-lasting relief. 

What to expect during a Botox treatment

If Botox is right for you, you’re in luck. Botox injections are typically quick and relatively painless treatments. We begin by cleaning your skin and providing a local anesthetic. Depending on the location of your pain, we might use a topical numbing cream, an injection, cold, or vibrational anesthesia.

Once you are numb, we inject the Botox serum. The injections can take a few days to take effect. The effects of Botox injections last for between 3-12 months. However, you can have touch up appointments as needed to maintain your relief. 

If you’re curious about Botox and its pain-relieving properties, call our offices or schedule an appointment online. If the injections are right for you, we can deliver your first treatment right away.

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