Botox Therapeutic

BOTOX® has been used with increasing frequency by doctors for over twenty years for more and more different medical conditions. In addition to the cosmetic use of BOTOX® for facial wrinkles, BOTOX® is now used to treat excessive sweating of the underarms and palms. BOTOX® is also used to treat tension headaches and migraines. Doctors are now beginning to use BOTOX® injections to treat spasmodic low back pain.

Many extended health care plans will pay for BOTOX® for therapeutic use. In cases such as this, the only cost to you is the injection fee. We will be happy to answer your fee related questions about the therapeutic use of BOTOX®.

Headaches: Pain from headaches is one of the most common types of pain. Headache symptoms may include one sided, throbbing pain, sensitivity to light and noise, nausea, and vomiting. Acute attacks are usually treated with medications aimed at reducing headache intensity, controlling associated symptoms and preventing progression. BOTOX® has shown efficacy rates as high as 80% in many clinical trials. Muscle spasms are believed to be a major contributor in migraine, tension and neck related headaches. Consequently, BOTOX® is injected into the specific muscles that are overactive or painful. Trigger points that are tender can also be injected, often giving dramatic relief of pain. Dosages can range from as low as 30 units in the forehead, to 100 units for the forehead, back of head and scalp, or even more for associated neck pains.

Neck Pain: Many people suffer from intermittent chronic neck pain with associated tender trigger points in the muscles which run along the cervical spine. The pain usually starts in the back of the head (occipital region) and runs down to the shoulder blades or shoulder. Each person experiences unique muscle pain. BOTOX® will frequently provide relief for 3-4 months following a pattern of injections which are individually formulated for each patient by Dr. Fleming. Dosage ranges can be anywhere from 20-200 units per session.

Hyperhydrosis is the medical term given to the condition commonly known as excessive sweating. Hyperhydrosis is caused by the over stimulation of sweat glands by the autonomic nerves. There can be considerable emotional and social stigma attached to the condition, and this can lead to a loss of confidence and self-esteem. Traditional treatments for hyperhydrosis include over-the-counter commercial antiperspirants, oral medications, electrical treatments, and surgery. Existing non-surgical treatments however, have had limited success in dealing with excessive sweating or have produced unpleasant side effects.

In recent studies, BOTOX® has been shown to be effective in decreasing sweating of the armpits, hands, and feet. BOTOX® controls hyperhydrosis by blocking the release of the chemical responsible for stimulating the sweat glands -- acetylcholine.

Palmar Hyperhydrosis (Embarrassing Sweaty Hands) BOTOX® injections in the palms are done after the administration of a wrist nerve block as the palms can be quite sensitive. The usual dose is 100 units of BOTOX® per palm, and the charge is $1000, including the wrist block and the 200 units of BOTOX®. Side effects include a transient mild weakness of the hands following BOTOX® therapy for palmar hyperhydrosis.

Axillary Hyperhydrosis (Embarrassing Sweaty Armpits) Patients who have had to change their shirts five times a day due to excessive underarm sweating usually achieve complete absence of sweating following BOTOX® therapy. For these patients, BOTOX® is nothing short of miraculous.

BOTOX® injections in the underarm region usually do not require any local anesthetic or nerve block, and do not have any significant side effects. The dosage range for the underarms is 50-200 units per armpit. The duration of a "sweat-free interval" with BOTOX® therapy in the underarms increases by using higher doses of BOTOX®. Studies have shown an absence of sweating for an average of four months with the 50 unit dose, and 19 months with the 200 unit dose.