Botox

What is Botox?

Botox is a medication that temporarily blocks nerve signals to muscles or glands, making it useful for both medical and cosmetic purposes.

What are the benefits of Botox?

Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA) is a purified neurotoxin used to temporarily relax muscles or reduce gland activity.

Common Indications:
– Chronic migraine (≥15 headache days/month)
– Cervical dystonia (neck muscle spasm)
– Spasticity (overactive muscle)
– Myofascial pain or trigger points (off-label)

How does a Botox work?

Botox prevents the nerves from releasing a strong signal to the muscle, and consequently relax the muscles that are targeted. This in turn helps reduces or eliminate stiffness, reduce swelling, decrease tenderness, and improve range of motion.

How to prepare for a Botox injection?

The first step to determine your eligibility to receive a botox injection is to perform a thorough physical examination and carefully consider your medical and family history.

-Blood thinners (e.g., aspirin, Plavix, Eliquis, warfarin):
You will NOT need to stop them before the procedure
– Medical Clearance (if needed)
If you have heart conditions, bleeding disorders, or infections, your provider may require clearance from your primary doctor or specialist.

What to expect after the procedure?

If a medical professional injects Botox, the medication will quickly permeate the soft tissue. Botox may affect the muscle tissue, the nerves, and the joints, and typically, the pain treatment can eliminate symptoms for up to three months or more.
During this time period, most patients do not notice any side effects. Gradually, the body will reduce the level of Botox within the soft tissue and if symptoms recur, we consider repeating this treatment if it was effective.