Used to diminish forehead wrinkles, flatten frown lines, and get rid of crow’s feet, Botox has many different uses, but did you know that Botox can also be used for therapeutic reasons? This is what’s known as therapeutic Botox. 

What Is Therapeutic Botox?

It may come as a shock to you as most people associate the use of Botox with cosmetic procedures, but Botox can actually be used to stop migraines, reduce headaches, relieve muscle tension and pain.

Botox is an incredibly popular cosmetic treatment and the number one cosmetic procedure. Over seven million Botox procedures are carried out every year and both men and women have used it to help them get the perfect look. But people are now also using Botox to help them with migraines, muscle pains, as well as many other conditions.

Today we’re going to go through the differences between both cosmetic Botox and therapeutic Botox and let you in on everything you need to know about therapeutic Botox and its benefits. 

What’s the difference between therapeutic Botox and cosmetic Botox?

Most people are more familiar with cosmetic Botox, so before we get into how therapeutic Botox works exactly, let’s take a look at some of the differences between cosmetic Botox and therapeutic Botox. 

What is cosmetic Botox used for?

Cosmetic Botox is used for fixing a variety of facial concerns, including the following:

• Forehead wrinkles
• Frown lines
• Crow’s feet
• Laugh lines
• And more

Cosmetic Botox works by relaxing the muscles and smoothing the wrinkles on your face.

What is therapeutic Botox used for?

Unlike cosmetic Botox, therapeutic Botox is used to relieve medical conditions.

Therapeutic Botox is mainly used for:

• Migraines and headaches
• Neck pain
• Teeth grinding
• Jaw clenching
• Trigger points (muscle pain)
• Shoulder and back pain
• Muscle spasms
• Excessive sweating
• And more

Botox relaxes your muscles or reduces glandular or nerve activity, which helps reduce the pain or symptoms of the above conditions. 

How does Botox work?

Botox works by blocking or limiting the activity of muscles, nerves, or glands in the body respective to the specific area that is treated.  

The weakening of muscles helps suppress facial expressions that cause deep lines, which will eventually result in you having fewer wrinkles. 

Reduced muscular activity for therapeutic purposes can alleviate shoulder and back pain, muscle spasms, and jaw clenching to name a few.

Reduced nerve activity for therapeutic purposes is specifically helpful with chronic migraines where the transmission of pain sensations is limited in the treated areas of the head and neck. 

With regards to reduced glandular activity, Botox is specifically helpful in reducing the production of sweat in the treated area without affecting perspiration of the entire body, which is required for optimal temperature regulation.

Both therapeutic and cosmetic Botox work in the same way, but depending on where they’re administered, depends on the desired outcome whether it be to give you the look you desire or to treat the medical condition you’ve been struggling with.

Are cosmetic Botox and therapeutic Botox processes different?

Whether you’re receiving cosmetic or therapeutic botox, the process is very similar. 

You’ll be taken through a very comprehensive exam to ensure all your needs are met and your budget covers your treatment, although therapeutic Botox is often covered to some degree by most third party health insurance companies. 

The Botox will be injected into the appropriate area, and you’ll start seeing the results or feeling the therapeutic effects in as little as 2-3 days, but up to 2 weeks for the full result.

With both cosmetic Botox and therapeutic Botox, you’ll have to maintain your treatment every approximately three months (average of six months between treatments for excessive sweating.) 

One of the only differences between the two types of Botox is that with therapeutic Botox, you’ll have to have a medical examination & diagnosis before you are given and written a Botox prescription before the actual procedure can be planned and booked. This is so the examiner can clearly find the origin and reason behind your symptoms, decide if Botox is appropriate for your treatment, and then create a treatment plan that is best for you.

How long does Botox last?

How long Botox treatment lasts completely varies from person to person, on average the therapeutic effects will usually last about 3-6 months depending on its use, as stated above. 

It’s important to note that a single Botox treatment won’t last your whole life, so you’re going to have to get additional injections if you want to keep benefiting from it. 

Are there any side effects of therapeutic Botox?

When Botox is used for therapeutic benefits it has very few side effects that are also quite rare, but some examples could include:

• Temporary weakness of the nearby muscles
• Drooping eyelids 
• Facial asymmetry
• Minor bruising at the injection site
• Dry mouth

The side effects are very rare and temporary, but also vary depending on the injection site of the Botox.

How does Botox for migraines work?

In 2010, the FDA approved the use of Botox for headaches and migraines in adults. So if you suffer from chronic migraines, Botox can help reduce and, on occasion, completely eliminate pain. 

A series of Botox injections will help prevent migraines from happening and stop you from taking painkillers and suffering the side effects. 

Some medications used to treat chronic migraines can even cause headaches along with many other side effects, making Botox a treatment option to be seriously considered.  . 

Botox helps stop migraines by blocking the nerve pain signals to the brain causing a decrease in pain. 

Botox is the perfect solution for you if you’re suffering from intense muscle pain, headaches or even migraines. 

You can read more about how our therapeutic Botox services can help reduce your pain here. 

If this sounds like the right treatment for you, your first step is to give our clinic a call. 

Our amazing team will walk you through the booking process, cost and treatment plan. 

You’ll feel the wonderful effects of therapeutic Botox in no time at all.