Friday, December 19, 2014

Therapeutic Uses of Botox®

Most people think of Botox® as a cosmetic skin treatment for getting rid of wrinkles, but doctors also use Botox® injections to treat dystonia. Dystonia is a type of neuromuscular disorder characterized by involuntary, repetitive muscle contractions. Botox® prevents these contractions by blocking the release of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that signals muscles to contract. Botox® can treat involuntary closure of the eyelids, sudden contraction of facial muscles, limb spasticity, and muscle spasms in the neck.
 
Botox® injections are also an FDA-approved method of managing the symptoms of chronic migraines. The treatment consists of injecting Botox® into multiple areas of the head, neck, and upper back and can be administered once every 12 weeks. Patients who suffer from migraines at least 14 days per month may be eligible for the procedure.

If you suffer from chronic migraines or muscle spasms and want to learn more about Botox®, visit Austin NeuroCare’s Specialty Treatments page. You can also watch this video for further information on Botox® and migraines.