End Your Chronic Neck Pain & Muscle Spasms
Dystonia, characterized by involuntary muscle contractions that produce abnormal posture, cramps or slow repetitive movements, can occur in any muscle group in your body. Botox Cervical dystonia, also known as spasmodic torticollis, is the most common form of dystonia, and involves only the muscles of the neck. When the neck muscles suddenly contract, there is a sustained tightening of the neck muscles (tonic) or a jerky spasm (clinic), or some combination of the two. The head may involuntarily tilt forward, backward or sideways.
While the cause of cervical dystonia is unknown, it occurs most often in people over the age of 40 with a history of injury to the area. It can cause considerable discomfort with symptoms including severe neck pain, muscle tightness, tremors in the head or even hands, muscle spasms and involuntary turning or tilting of the head.
Options for cervical dystonia treatment range from physical therapy and surgery to oral medications. However, the first-line therapy now chosen by many healthcare providers are BOTOX injections.
To schedule a consultation with a qualified healthcare provider in that specializes in BOTOX cervical dystonia treatment, call (832) 532-0050 or contact us online.
How Does Cervical Dystonia BOTOX Treatment Work?
BOTOX treatment (onabotulinumtoxinA) is an injectable prescription medication most people associate with cosmetic procedures. However, with cervical dystonia, BOTOX for neck pain is injected into the neck muscles to address neck pain, as well as the abnormal head positioning and spasms. BOTOX is produced from the botulinum toxin, as in botulism, which is an extremely deadly poison. However, it is safe for medical use if administered in extremely small doses.
In cervical dystonia, BOTOX works by preventing certain nerve signals which cause muscle spasms from reaching the dystonic muscles, thus preventing the involuntary spasms. Using BOTOX, cervical dystonia symptoms can be reduced for up to four months. In fact, a clinical study showed people with cervical dystonia who received BOTOX treatment (versus a placebo group) had improved head posture and reduced neck pain intensity after they received treatment.
Who is a Good Candidate for BOTOX Cervical Dystonia Treatment?
Your healthcare provider will conduct a physical exam to evaluate your current health state and the severity of your cervical dystonia. BOTOX is considered the first-line treatment for cervical dystonia and is often the only needed approach to treatment. However, for some, cervical dystonia advances to a stage where BOTOX may only provide limited relief and further, more invasive therapies must be explored.
There are certain serious factors that might make you a poor candidate for BOTOX injections. You must be 16 years or older to receive treatment. If you are allergic to BOTOX, or any of the ingredients in the BOTOX injection, you should avoid this treatment option. You should not take BOTOX if you have ever had a reaction to an injection of BOTOX or any other botulinum toxin product, including:
- Dysport
- Myobloc
- Xeomin
Additionally, certain medical conditions may make you a poor candidate for injections. Your healthcare provider will review your medical history prior to treatment to ensure there are no preexisting conditions which may affect the treatment’s success. You should also bring a list of current medications with you to your appointment as certain medications can manifest serious side effects during treatment. You should especially be certain to inform your doctor if you have received any other botulinum toxin product in the last 4 months, take muscle relaxers, cold or allergy medications, sleep aids or blood-thinning medications, including aspirin.
What to Expect from BOTOX Cervical Dystonia Treatment
The botulinum toxin in BOTOX is always administered by injection. The injections are given in a medical office setting and will not require hospitalization. Your healthcare provider will inject the medicine directly into the affected muscles using a very thin needle.
There is no recovery time after the procedure. You may feel some temporary pain at the injection site, initially, but it quickly fades. One dose usually lasts about three months at which time you are encouraged to receive more injections from your healthcare provider to prevent the recurrence of your neck pain symptoms.
While BOTOX is considered a safe alternative to cervical dystonia surgery, there are side effects associated with treatment. These possible side effects include:
- Dry mouth
- Discomfort or pain at the injection site
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Neck pain
- Eye problems such as blurred vision, drooping eyelids, swelling of your eyelids and dry eyes
Your healthcare provider will discuss all potential side effects of injections prior to your treatment.
End Chronic Neck Pain
If neck pain and abnormal head position affect your quality of life, BOTOX can be an efficacious treatment to help you regain movement and decrease muscle spasms. It is equally beneficial for those who are at high-risk for traditional surgery or simply want to reduce recovery time or risk of surgical complications.
BOTOX cervical dystonia treatment should be discussed with a healthcare provider who is trained in administering this form of treatment. Request more information about BOTOX treatment today. Call (832) 532-0050 or contact us online.
