Botulinum toxin has long been used in many branches of medicine, for example: ophthalmology, dentistry, urology, neurology, cosmetology to solve problems such as blepharospasm, bruxism, recovery from injuries, urinary incontinence and of course elimination mimic wrinkles. However, why would botulinumtoxin be even more valuable? By suppressing pathological muscle hyperactivity, it eliminates pain by blocking neuromuscular transmission, preventing the pain impulse from reaching the brain.
Moreover, recent studies have shown that Botox injections have their own analgesic effect. How the neurotoxin suppresses pain, read on estet-portal.com in this article.
- Pain suppression mechanisms with Botox injections
- Syndromes where Botox injections have been shown to be effective in pain relief
Pain suppression mechanisms with Botox injections
When Botox injections are used to treat painful disorders of muscle hyperactivity, patients often report significant pain relief. So far, this pain relief has been associated with a reduction in muscle hyperactivity. However, formalin-induced pain in animals can be reduced by the direct analgesic effect of botulinum toxin. It is likely that this effect of the neurotoxin is based on the effect on other neurotransmitters besides acetylcholine.
Botulinum toxin has an analgesic effect by blocking not only acetylcholine, but also other neurotransmitters.
Read also: Botulinum toxin in urology
Botox injections interrupt the pathological chain, the nerve impulse that goes from the nociceptors to the brain, and thereby alleviate the pain and discomfort of the patient. Substance P: effect of botulinum toxin on pain neuropeptide.
Substance P, a neuropeptide involved in sensory perception, vasodilation, and neurogenic inflammation, can be blocked by botulinum toxin together with acetylcholine in rabbit iris muscles as well as cultured dorsal root ganglion neurons.
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This substance is found in humans in the brain and spinal cord, skin, muscles, intestinal nervous system, and thyroid gland.
What does it mean that if you block this neuropeptide, you can suppress the pain impulse from almost anywhere in the body, and also indirectly fight inflammation in the future.
Botulinum toxin and glutamic acid: suppression of nociception
Neurotoxin has also been shown to inhibit the release of glutamic acid – excitatory amino acid, another neurotransmitter involved in nociception, in the periphery and dorsal horn, confirming earlier findings of botulinum neurotoxin-induced inhibition of glutamic acid release from cerebrocortical synapses.
The binding of glutamic acid to specific receptors leads to the excitation of neurons. Therefore, by blocking it, botulinum toxin is able to suppress the nerve transmission of pain impulses.
Syndromes in which Botox injections have been shown to be effective in relieving pain
Myofascial pain syndrome (MBS)
The use of standard therapy in the treatment of patients with mythosial pain syndrome is in many cases unsatisfactory, due to the need for long-term medication. Analgesics have a rapid analgesic effect, but gastrotoxicity and nephrotoxicity become an obstacle to the use of this class of drugs on a permanent basis.
Practice shows that Botox injections in combination with physiotherapy are effective for 1-3 months without side effects from organs and systems.
Research proves the effectiveness and safety of Botox injections at trigger points for myofascial pain syndrome, as well as for patients with temporomandibular joint dysfunction and fasciitis.
Read also: How to properly administer and dose Botox injections
Chronic back pain
The long-term effect of botulinum toxin was obtained in a double-blind, randomized study in which 60% of people receiving Botox injections in 5 zones, felt relief within 3-4 months. However, one study in the management of chronic back pain was problematic due to differences in the pathophysiology of the process.
Headache
Mostly Botox injections are popular in patients with migraines. The therapeutic effect is due to muscle relaxation and removal of pressure from the trigeminal nerve. There is evidence that patients suffering from migraines have hypertrophied corrugators that put pressure on the trigeminal nerve and provoke migraine attacks. Relief occurs 3 months after the first procedure and has a preventive effect, since there was no effect on the degree of pain and duration of a migraine attack.
Read also: Botulinum toxin in neurological practice
Neuropathic pain
Secretion of pro-inflammatory agents increases sensitivity and neurotransmission, thereby triggering an attack, and Botox injections inhibit these mechanisms.
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Patients with complex regional pain syndromes in the neck, scapula and larynx usually also experience MBS in the same areas. Depending on muscle size, 25-50 units of botulinum toxin may be injected at trigger points for medicinal purposes.
Also, studies confirm the successful use of botulinum toxin after spinal injuries, neuralgia due to shingles and amputations of the upper and lower extremities
Thus, botulinum toxin is a safe and effective method in the treatment of chronic pain and pain syndromes in cases where the side effects of medications are significant. on the expansion of applications, studies of adverse reactions, antibody formation and detailed dosing with treatment intervals, which will significantly affect the prevalence of the procedure among the population. More useful information on our
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