Botox

About This Treatment

Botox® is most often thought of as a "wrinkle eraser" treatment. However, Botox® is an injectable drug that can be used for medical treatments as well. Botox® is FDA-approved and has been safely used to treat a variety of conditions for more than 10 years. Nearly 90% of patients rate improvement as moderate or better.

At Franciscan Health, Botox® is most commonly used to treat three main issues - muscle spasm control, severe underarm sweating and cosmetic improvement.

Botox® treatments for excessive sweating

Excessive sweating - also known as primary hyperhidrosis causes people to sweat profusely from their palms, feet, underarms or head. The rest of the body remains dry in this condition and the sweating happens even when a person is not active. Sometimes the sweating can be so heavy that it is hard to use the hands, sweat may soak through clothes and skin problems arise.

With cases of hyperhidrosis, Botox® injections are placed in the affected areas. Botox temporarily block the nerves that stimulate sweating.

Botox® treatments for spasticity

Spasticity is a muscle disorder that is characterized by tight or stiff muscles and an inability to control those muscles. Chronic muscle spasticity is painful and sometimes debilitating. It can restrict everyday movements such as walking, dressing and sleeping. Muscle spasticity is often seen in people who have experienced a stroke or who have disorders such as multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, or brain and spinal cord injuries.

Botox injections can help patients with spasticity because it is a nerve blocker. Botox injections are placed directly into the affected muscles. The medicine can then stop the muscle's contractions and spasms by blocking the nerve's messages to the brain.

Botox® treatments for cosmetic purposes

Wrinkles or frown lines develop over time from the use of muscles in the face. For those wishing to reduce or eliminate wrinkles, Botox can help. Low doses of Botox® relaxes overactive muscles and stops frown lines and wrinkles from forming. Treatments usually last about three months. Other neuromuscular relaxants include Xeomin® and Dysport®.