Do you suffer from fibromyalgia and wondering about the best solution for the disease? Then, you might consider getting Botox treatment.
Fibromyalgia is characterized by chronic muscle pain accompanied by unending tenderness. Although not life-threatening, the disease not only causes egregious pain but also a lot of distress to the victims. The cause of the disease is unknown, though it has been associated with risk factors such as rheumatoid arthritis, injury, and genetics. There is no concrete cure for fibromyalgia. However, various treatments can help you relieve the condition.
Despite not being approved by the FDA for chronic pain relief, Botox has gained massive popularity among patients and health care providers due to its appreciable ability to relieve fibromyalgia symptoms. So, is it the new miracle cure for fibromyalgia? Well, let’s find out but before then, it is important to understand what a Botox procedure entails.
What is Botox?
An interesting fact about Botox is that it’s derived from a poisonous bacteria known as Clostridium botulinum. The bacteria secrets seven neurotoxins of which one, botulinum A, is employed in the manufacture of Botox injections. Botox has shown successful results in the treatment of facial wrinkles, chronic migraines, and muscle disorders. It’s only recently when scientist discovered its ability to relieve chronic pains that it gained major popularity in the treatment of fibromyalgia.
Botox Treatment for Fibromyalgia: How Effective Is It?
Although the internet is filled with numerous ‘miracle cures’ for fibromyalgia, there are several medical and scientific studies that back the effectiveness of Botox to alleviate fibromyalgia symptoms. Botox targets the painful muscles and blocks nerves from sending pain impulses throughout your body. Therefore, your brain does not register pain.
Botox injection is a completely safe procedure whereby the solution is injected directly into your fibro tender points (the parts on your body marked by intense pain). When Botox is administered, you may not feel its effect for about a day or two and it may take even a week for the effects to start manifesting.
Although the effect of Botox injection does not last forever, it offers more time benefit compared to other methods used in chronic pain management. Depending on your health condition, Botox can effectively alleviate fibromyalgia symptoms for about three to four months. This gives you sufficient time to carry out normal activities such exercises, work, and house chores while enjoying pain-free moments.
Upon review of your experience with the initial Botox injection, your doctor may recommend subsequent treatment procedure. However, it’s important to consider that frequent Botox injection can make your body immune to Botox and hence render it useless for future pain management.
Conclusion
Besides showing good results in the treatment of muscle disorders, facial wrinkles, and migraines, Botox has found major application in fibromyalgia treatment. The use of Botox in the management of fibromyalgia has a high success rate owing to its significant chronic pain relief and zero side effects. With continued research, scientists are looking into new ways to enhance the effectiveness of the medication.