Dystonia Relief and Botox Treatment
For patients with dystonia, the disease is characterized by muscle contractions that create slow, repetitive movements and abnormal postures, including tremors. Dystonia can occur in any body part, and the area of the body affected show different symptoms. Those who have cervical dystonia, a type of focal dystonia, typically experience pain throughout the neck, causing the head to turn to a side or be pulled back and forth. The gradual progression of this form of dystonia can cause significant harm to a person’s quality of life, and Botox treatments are the treatment of choice for sustaining relief from this neurological condition.
How Botox Relieves Cervical Dystonia
Botox, referred to as Botulinum toxin injections can be injected into the neck in small doses. It is created from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum toxin, which is highly poisonous when ingested in large quantities. For medical treatment, the Botox is purified of its harmful bacteria and creates a neurotoxin that can be administered into the affected areas. The injection aims to weaken the contractions and blocks the nerve signals sent to and from the muscles within the neck. For patients with cervical dystonia, Botox treatments act as symptomatic treatment and not a cure.
Indications for Dystonia Treatment
For Botox treatments, the FDA has approved of its use for cervical dystonia. Under FDA guidelines, the purpose of Botox treatment for cervical dystonia is to reduce the severity of any abnormal head position and neck pain experienced. For physicians administering Botox, the base dosing depends on the patient’s head and neck position, muscle hypertrophy, localization of pain, patient response, and medical history. For patients new to Botox, lower doses are recommended. The most common adverse reactions for treating cervical dystonia patients include upper respiratory infections, neck pain, headaches, flu symptoms, rhinitis, and dysphagia.
For the approval of Botox treatment for cervical dystonia, please check with your insurance company to verify that Botox can be treated for your specific neurological condition.
What is the process at Premier Neurology Center?
During your appointment, both Dr. Kashouty and Dr. Yono will prepare the back of the neck with a topical anesthetic application to numb the skin. The injection will be mixed with saline and then traced with EMG-guidance to provide an accurate injection site due to the procedure’s delicacy. Once traced and marked at the correct areas, the Botox will be injected for pain and muscle spasm relief. Many patients who have received Botox treatment have experienced:
- Functional anatomy of neck muscles
- Peaked muscle spasm relief at four weeks
- Long-term pain relief in between 2-6 months
- Less spontaneous remissions
- Reduced signs of abnormal postures and movements
Our neurologists will schedule follow-up appointments during your time at Premier Neurology Center to track your progress in combination while treating your cervical dystonia. The Botox procedure takes approximately 15 to 25 minutes to complete. Patients with dystonia should find the improvement within the first 2-3 days and find long-lasting results when combined with other forms of dystonia treatment, such as oral medications and physical therapy.
Aftercare and What to Look For
How do I prepare for my appointment?
At Premier Neurology Center, our center focuses on assessing your condition, pain levels, and prescribing effective dystonia treatments through Botox injections and other neurological treatment methods. Located at 1050 SE Monterey Rd, Suite 201, Stuart, FL 34994, our physicians will provide you with preparation instructions and advise you on any symptoms that may occur. Please contact us to learn more about our Botox injections today to receive the best neurological care.
