What is Botox®?
Botox is an injectable muscle relaxer derived from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. When administered by a qualified professional in small doses, Botox offers several cosmetic and medical benefits.
Pain & Anesthesia Care uses Botox to treat migraine headaches and to help people look and feel their best. A series of Botox injections can eradicate wrinkles and fine lines for months at a time.
How does Botox work?
Botox is a neurotoxin. Once it enters your body, it disrupts the nerve signaling process. The way it does this varies, depending on the type of treatment you receive
Cosmetic treatments
When used for cosmetic purposes, Botox blocks nerve signals from reaching the muscles in your face. Over time, this allows your muscles to relax, smoothing out visible imperfections like crow’s feet or horizontal creases on your forehead.
Treatment of migraine headaches
When used to treat migraines, your Pain & Anesthesia Care provider administers a series of Botox injections near groups of pain fibers that trigger headaches.
Botox surrounds your nerve endings, preventing them from releasing chemicals responsible for pain transmission. Botox is a preventive measure that stops migraines before they occur. However, it usually takes several treatments to work effectively.
What happens during a Botox appointment?
A Botox appointment at Pain & Anesthesia Care begins with a physical exam, a review of your medical history, and a discussion of your treatment goals. If your provider determines that you’re a candidate, they begin the treatment process by diluting Botox powder with a saline solution.
After transferring the solution to a syringe, your provider administers a series of injections directly into your neuromuscular tissue. Following your injections, you’re sent home with a list of recovery instructions. It usually takes 24-72 hours for Botox to take effect.
Is Botox safe?
Botox is safe and usually well-tolerated. Many people experience no side effects whatsoever. It’s normal to develop minor swelling or bruising, at each injection site, but any discomfort should subside within a day or two. If you experience any other problems, such as nausea, sensations of numbness, or flu-like symptoms, contact Pain & Anesthesia Care right away.
To explore Botox as a treatment option for migraines or cosmetic purposes, schedule an appointment at Pain & Anesthesia Care. Call the office to speak with a team member or book a consultation online today.
