Botulinum Neurotoxin Injections (Botox)

Commonly Asked Questions

• Will I have botulinum toxin injections?

  At your first appointment, your doctor will recommend and discuss treatment options that are tailored to your unique needs. A recommendation may include Botox injections. If so, the benefits and risks of this option will be discussed with you.

• How do the injections work?

  Botulinum toxin works to reduce pain in several ways:

  • Reduction in muscle spasms
  • Reduction in inflammation around pain nerves
  • Reduction in pain signal intensity

• What is it used for?

  There are several pain conditions which respond to botulinum toxin injections. Clinical research has shown that it can be effective in a wide variety of conditions. These include:

  • Headaches
  • Neck Pain
  • Chronic Lower Back Pain
  • Nerve Pain
  • Pelvic Pain

   

• Will these injections cause weakness or affect my muscle bulk?

  The dose of Botulinum toxin used for pain management is much higher than for cosmetic purposes. It is not intended to cause weakness or affect muscle bulk. This is a rare side effect of the procedure.

• I have had many steroid injections or surgeries for pain in the past. Can botulinum injections help me?

  Botulinum injections reduce pain in a different way to steroids and surgical management. Because of this, this treatment may be effective when other pain therapies have not worked.

• How often will I need the injections?

  In some cases, an one-off treatment of Botulinum Toxin injections may be effective in breaking your pain cycle which can lead to long lasting relief. However, pain treatments are not curative and repeat injections can be given and may be offered to you depending on your treatment response.

• What does it involve?

  The Botulinum toxin is injected into your muscle or close to the pain nerves of concern with a fine needle. How many injections you receive depends on what condition you are being treated for, the size of your muscle and your treatment response. The doctor may use an ultrasound to assist them in the placement of the injections.

• Where do I get these injections?

  Your doctor will discuss with you whether your injections will occur in clinic or under an anaesthetic. They will consider the risks and benefits to you, the number of injections you need, and your preference.

• Are there any contraindications?

  Botulinum toxin should not be given in pregnancy, previous reactions to the medication, disorders of neuromuscular transmission including Myasthenia Gravis or Eaton Lambert Syndrome.

• Are there any side effects?

  Botulinum toxin been used safely in Pain Management and the procedure is well tolerated. Rare side effects include:

  • Weakness in the muscles that were injected, lasting up to 3 months.
  • Flu-like symptoms, lasting 3 days.

• Who to contact if I'm concerned

  If the side effects continue or you are worried about your response, please contact the clinic immediately and our doctors will get in touch.

  If the clinic is closed and you need more urgent medical advice, please present to the nearest Emergency Department.