Not to be confused with cosmetic botox injections used to get rid of wrinkles and lines on the face, Botulinum toxin A is a protein produced by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum, the same bacteria that causes botulism food poisoning.

Botox® is the brand name of botulinum toxin type A that has been in use since about 1990. In 2001, botulinum toxin type B was introduced under the brand name Myobloc®. (Dr. Gulevich has experience with both). Both forms of this naturally occuring substance, Botox® and Myobloc®, are injected into muscle that is contracting abnormally. The medications partially weaken the nerve to the muscle for about four to six months.

When injected into muscle in tiny amounts, botulinum A (Botox) can stop or reduce muscle spasm by blocking nerve signals to the muscle. This treatment has been used since the early 1990s to relieve severe muscle spasms around the eyes and in the neck, arms, legs, hands, and feet.

Studies show that the duration of pain relief offered by Botox varies from about three to- six months, depending on the disorder.

Uses for Various Types of Pain

A 2003 Marketdata study on pain management programs found that 37.7% of pain practitioners used botox injections, up from 31% two years earlier.

Headache... Both migraine and tension-type headaches respond to Botox® injections. Although scientific studies have established that about 80% of headache sufferers benefit from a Botox® injection, insurance companies usually will not pay for the procedure, and patients have to pay for it themselves. When doing a price comparison, be sure to check the amount of Botox® injected, since much of the cost of the injection is for the medication.

Other Pain Conditions...  Back pain and neck pain have been shown to respond to Botox® injection, but, unfortunately, most health insurance plans will not pay for it.

Although some studies have shown promising results, the Food and Drug Administration hasn't approved Botox for the treatment of fibromyalgia. More clinical trials are needed to determine the safety and potential benefits of Botox as a fibromyalgia treatment.

One small study suggested that injections with Botulinum toxin type A (Botox) may improve pain and function in people with arthritis. However, much more research is needed to evaluate this finding.

Source: Marketdata research