Most people are familiar with Botox as a treatment that can smooth wrinkles and soften frown lines. However, although botulinum toxin injections are popular for slowing the signs of aging, they are not only used for cosmetic reasons. They are also used to treat certain medical conditions that stem from tight, overactive, or painful muscles.
Catherine Kapoor, MD, a neurologist with Banner Health, explained more about how Botox works and the health conditions it can help.
How Botox works
Botox is made from a pure protein produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. When Botox is injected into specific muscles and used in small, controlled doses, it blocks the signals that tell your muscles to contract.
When the muscles contract less, symptoms such as pain, stiffness or stiffness may improve. This means that Botox and other brands of botulism toxins such as Dysport, Xeomin and Myobloc can be useful for many neurological and muscle conditions.
FDA Approved Medical Uses for Botox
FDA approval means there is research to support a treatment’s safety and effectiveness. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Botox injections for a number of medical conditions, including:
- Chronic migraines: Botox can help reduce the number of headaches for people who have frequent migraines.
- Cervical dystonia: This condition causes the neck muscles to spasm or pull involuntarily. Botox can help relax these muscles and reduce pain.
- Certain muscle spasms and spasticity: Botox can reduce tightness in the arms or legs, including in some cases associated with conditions such as cerebral palsy, stroke, and dystonia.
- Overactive bladder: Botox can help calm bladder muscle contractions so that people with this condition don’t feel the need to urinate as often or as often.
- Shawl: Therapy can help control this condition.
Other conditions commonly treated with Botox
FDA-approved Botox injections may also work for certain other health conditions, including:
- Blepharospasm (eye spasms), which was the first use for Botox injections
- Hemifacial spasm (convulsions of the face)
- Neck spasms caused by torticollis
- Stiff or tight muscles due to spasticity or dystonia, caused by neurological conditions such as stroke or cerebral palsy
- Excessive sweating
- Excessive saliva production
- Difficulty swallowing
- Substantial horror
- Certain eye conditions, such as strabismus (crossed or lazy eye) and eye misalignment
“In these conditions, Botox helps relax muscles that contract too often or too strongly,” Dr. Kapoor said. A health care provider can review the symptoms and decide if Botox might be helpful.
Off-label uses of Botox
Healthcare providers may also use Botox off-label. “Off-label” means that the treatment may be effective, based on clinical experience or research. But the FDA has not approved it for this health condition.
Common off-label uses of Botox include:
- Jaw tension or symptoms associated with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders.
- Pelvic floor muscle dysfunction causing pain, tightness or sexual dysfunction
- Some types of neuropathic pain
- Excessive salivation caused by certain neurological conditions
“Off-label treatments can be helpful, but you should always speak with a trained provider so you understand the risks and benefits for your condition,” Dr. Kapoor said. For off-label use, you need a medical exam. Off-label use may not be suitable for everyone.
What to expect with Botox injections
Botox injections are usually done at a medical center or clinic. The process usually only takes a few minutes.
A provider uses a very small needle to place tiny amounts of Botox into the targeted muscles. You will need several injections, your doctor can explain how many depending on the health condition you are dealing with.
You may notice:
- A quick pricking or stinging sensation
- Mild discomfort
- Temporary bruising at the injection site
- Small bumps at the injection site that go away in a few minutes.
“People can usually return to home or work immediately after the procedure. You should postpone some activities, such as certain yoga poses or vigorous massage of the treated areas, for a while after the treatment,” said Dr. Kapoor. Your provider can tell you when you can return to these activities.
It generally takes one to three days for results to start showing. The results are not permanent. They last about three months, sometimes longer, and then you will need a repeat round of injections.
Side effects and safety
Botox is safest when injected by a trained professional who understands how the muscles move and how the doses affect the area being treated.
Most side effects are mild and transient. They may include:
- Redness or bruising at the injection site
- Mild bleeding
- Headache
- Flu-like symptoms
- Temporary muscle weakness near the area treated with Botox
“More serious reactions are rare,” Dr. Kapoor said. In these cases, the injections could cause slight or partial paralysis of the face, drooping eyelids, crooked eyebrows or smiling, drooling, dry eyes, or excessive tearing.
It is rare but possible for the toxin to cause an allergic reaction or spread throughout your body and cause difficulty breathing or problems with seeing, urinating, speaking, swallowing or breathing.
If you experience these symptoms after injections, seek medical attention immediately.
Is botox covered by insurance?
You may have heard that insurance does not pay for Botox injections. For cosmetic procedures, this is usually true. But if you need injections for a health condition and your provider says they’re medically necessary, insurance usually covers them.
It’s a good idea to check with your insurance carrier and get pre-approved treatments before you have them.
Who should talk to a provider?
If you have a condition that causes tight muscles, frequent muscle spasms, or uncontrollable muscle contractions, you may want to talk to a healthcare provider to find out if Botox can help. Your provider can help you figure out if Botox is the right choice for you.
Before undergoing Botox treatment, talk to your provider about:
- Alternative pain relievers or muscle relaxants can be considered. You may want to try these less invasive options first.
- The details of the procedure, such as how many injections you will need and how often they will need to be repeated.
- Any medicines you use to relax your muscles, help you sleep or thin your blood, as they could cause interactions.
- Any other Botox injections you’ve had in the past four months.
- Using injections if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
The essence
Botox is not just a treatment for facial lines and wrinkles. It can help treat a number of medical conditions, including chronic migraines, cervical dystonia and other muscle-related problems.
If you’re wondering if Botox could help with your symptoms, a Banner Health provider can guide you through your options and help you understand the safest next steps.
