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3 Alternative Uses For Botox

By: Dr. Christopher Khorsandi

9/28/2015

3 Alternative Uses For Botox

The invasive nature of facelifts has given way to a more modern procedure of removing wrinkles. Botox injections have become the norm for many plastic surgery patients, allowing them to achieve a youthful look with only an outpatient procedure. This medicine, however, has other useful applications for treating chronic diseases and ailments.

What Is Botox?

Botox is actually a protein derived from bacteria activity. Formed from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, Botox temporarily paralyzes specific muscles through a calculated dilution factor devised by pharmaceutical professionals. For most patients, Botox is injected into facial wrinkles, effectively smoothing them out.

Cerebral Palsy Treatment

Cerebral palsy is marked by tight and short muscles, forcing patients to endure long hours of physical therapy. Many patients must also undergo surgeries to artificially lengthen muscles for normal walking or other critical bodily movements. Botox injections have been found to benefit young children with cerebral palsy. Their bodies are growing, allowing periodic Botox injections to relax their muscles for possible natural lengthening and movement. Although it is not a cure, reduced pain and surgery needs are major benefits of Botox use.

Migraine Solutions

Migraine sufferers typically endure excruciating pain for several weeks out of every month. Common medicines often fail to provide any relief. Doctors have found that strategic Botox injections along the neck and head significantly reduce pain symptoms. The muscle-relaxing effect of Botox allows the muscles surrounding the skull and shoulders to loosen, reducing migraine pain. Any reduction in pain is an improvement on quality of life for chronic sufferers.

Overactive Bladders

The natural feeling to urinate occurs several times a day for normal bladders, but overactive bladder sufferers must endure constant contractions. Patients may feel the need to urinate every hour, making it difficult to know when relief is truly needed. Botox relaxes the overactive bladder muscles, making sufferers less inclined to visit the bathroom. Normal bladder functions still endure with Botox injections, allowing the patient to feel normal when it comes to urination processes.

An experienced doctor familiar with the patient’s health history should administer Botox injections. Injection sites must be chosen carefully to successfully treat certain ailments. Cerebral palsy, migraine and overactive bladder patients will commonly need multiple injection treatments to see long-lasting results. Relaxing muscles to achieve patient comfort and recovery is the key to Botox use.

* All information subject to change. Images may contain models. Individual results are not guaranteed and may vary.