Botox is the most famous cosmetic treatment in the U.S., with 30 million injections performed every year. The drug has also been shown to be effective at relieving muscle pain for those suffering from chronic neck issues and tension headaches.
If you are considering Botox injections in your treatment plan for chronic neck pain, here's what you need to know.
What is Botox Treatment for Neck Pain?
Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA) is a Botulinum neurotoxin injected into the neck and facial muscles to treat wrinkles. "OnabotulinumtoxinA" seems like a misspelling, but it actually isn't.
Research has shown that Botulinum toxin type-A (BoNT-A) is an important treatment option for medical conditions such as spasticity (constant spasms of the muscles). Hence, one scenario in which it helps with neck pain is by reducing neck spasms.
But there are also other disorders where Botox can be helpful, as we’ll see just now.
The idea behind Botox for neck pain treatment is that it reduces muscular tension, which can cause stiff muscles and headaches.
Is Botox Effective at Relieving Neck Pain? Can Botox Injections Help Neck Pain?
Botox injections are proven to be effective in primarily three painful conditions of the neck:
- After whiplash injuries
Research states that using Botox in patients with whiplash injuries leads to significant improvements in range of motion (ROM) and pain.
Furthermore, it states that out of the 31 patients, 21 had significant improvements in pain and range of motion (ROM), and 77.4% had a significant reduction in pain alone. - Cervical dystonia (spasmodic torticollis)
Cervical dystonia is a condition where the neck muscles contract involuntarily, causing pain and abnormal head movements.
Botox injections can effectively treat cervical dystonia, as proven by clinical studies involving large numbers of participants. Botox injections can reduce abnormal movements and contractures.
But it can also prevent further damage to the neck and related nerve problems. - Myofascial pain syndrome
A 2014 study of 114 patients found that BoNT-A injections (including Botox) can significantly improve pain in people with cervical and shoulder girdle myofascial pain syndrome (a localized muscle condition resulting from muscle pain and stiffness).
They found that using an injection technique where the pain pattern guides the injections is better than injecting specific trigger points.
Furthermore, the study showed that giving injections multiple times can relieve long-term pain.
Using BoNT-A can improve the quality of life for people with chronic pain by reducing the impact of pain on daily activities. The study suggests that BoNT-A is a safe and effective treatment for this condition, but more research is needed to confirm these findings.
For chronic neck pain, however, botox has proven to be ineffective.
This is based on a 2011 review involving 503 people given BoNT-A for chronic neck pain. The results suggest that it is not helpful for chronic pain. It is demonstrated by the little to no difference in pain relief between those who got the shot and those who received saline injections.
Based on all of these studies, we can say that Botox is helpful for treating patients with sudden pain, but it doesn't help at all with chronic neck pain.
Therefore, the answer to the question may depend on the status of pain (acute or chronic).
Can Botox Cure Neck Pain?
Botox is a temporary solution, not a cure.
It sets in within 24–72 hours but will only last for about six months. Meaning the effects fade gradually, which may require follow-up treatments.
As Botox injections mostly help reduce muscle spasms and pain, they aren't meant to fix your condition or stop it from getting worse in the future.
Can Botox Help Neck Tension?
Yes, Botox can help with neck tension. Neck tension (spasticity) happens when the neck muscles constantly contract or cannot relax. When Botox is injected into target muscles, it helps relax the muscles by blocking nerve signals. Thus causing relief in muscle contraction.
But it's important to remember that Botox is mainly a tool for dealing with symptoms and not a cure for underlying problems such as:
- Neck tightness
- Certain medical conditions
How Long Does Botox Take to Work for Neck Pain?
As we mentioned earlier, Botox takes about 2–3 days to work.
But it's important to remember that everyone's body reacts differently to treatment. Also, Botox might not help neck pain at all for some people.
As mentioned earlier, chronic neck pain may not benefit from Botox injections at all. Hence, while Botox could potentially offer swift relief, it's not a guaranteed or instant solution for everyone.
How Long Do Botox Injections for Neck Pain Last?
The injections typically last up to 6 months, and we can infer that you would need multiple sessions to maintain the effects. Otherwise, as the medication fades, so do its effects.
Still, it's essential to remember this is an average and can significantly vary from person to person. Some may find that the benefits wear off faster, meaning they must get treatments more often, while others may feel better for longer. Also, the effects of Botox may last a different amount of time or from session to session. How long the results of the injections last depends on things like the following:
- Patient-specific factors
- The seriousness of the problem
- Cause of the neck pain
- Dose of the injection
How Many Botox Injections Are Needed for Neck Pain?
There is no specific information regarding the frequency of Botox injections needed for neck pain.
However, a study showed that those who received 500 or 1000 units of the treatment felt significantly better than those who received a placebo after 4 weeks.
The larger the dose people received, the better they felt for a longer time and the less they needed to be treated again after 8 weeks.
Is Botox Safe for Neck Pain?
Botox is a safe and effective way to treat neck pain caused by the conditions we discussed. Thousands of people have used Botox to treat neck pain.
According to market research, in 2020 alone, 6.2 million Botox injections have been given worldwide.
While the mentioned statistic of 6.2 million Botox injections in 2020 does not specifically refer to neck pain treatment, it does offer a general insight into the widespread use and safety of Botox injections overall.
Is Botox safe long-term?
Botox injections for neck pain are generally considered to be safe.
This is further supported by clinical trials on Botox safety in specific conditions like cervical dystonia, as well.
However, just like in any procedure, there may be cases where people complain of side effects. Let’s see what those side effects are.
What are the bad effects of Botox injection?
Botox injections for neck pain have similar risks as those used for cosmetic purposes, which include:
- Headache. A common but temporary side-effect of Botox injections.
- Bruising at the injection site
- Localized pain
Rarely, there are more serious side effects such as:
- Infections. A rare site complication that can occur as a result of any procedure with open wounds (breaching the skin barrier).
- Allergic reactions, which can look like a bump at the injection site, a more severe itching all over the body, or anaphylaxis.
- Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)
- Dysphonia (difficulty speaking)
- Dystonia (involuntary muscle twitching)
What Are the Three Common Side Effects of Botox?
In general, the three common side effects of Botox are:
- Injection site pain
- Bruising
- Skin color changes around the injection site,
In addition to these, headaches are also very commonly reported.
Is Neck Pain Normal After Botox?
Neck pain, in general, is not one of the common effects of Botox treatment. But, local site pain is. Therefore, if you have received a Botox injection for neck pain, it goes without saying that the site of the injection will be painful.
Nonetheless, the localized pain is temporary and should go away on its own, even without treatment.
Can Botox Cause Neck Weakness?
Botox injections can cause neck weakness if used in higher doses in the neck area. One example is using more Botox to treat wrinkles in the neck, which increases the risk of significant side effects.
Takeaway
The bottom line is that Botox for neck pain is generally a safe and effective treatment, but it may only be suitable for some. If you are thinking about Botox, talk to your doctor first so that you can both talk about the pros and cons before making a choice.
Botox has shown some promise in briefly relieving neck pain and tension, but it is essential to remember that it is not a cure-all therapy. It operates primarily as a band-aid solution, managing the symptoms rather than addressing the root cause of the pain.
Botox can cause side effects like pain at the injection site or temporary muscle weakness, as with any medical treatment.
Since the effects of the treatment usually last for three to six months, those who choose this will have to maintain the treatment. However, Botox is not beneficial for people with chronic neck pain. Nonetheless, it's essential to know that the relief is short and has risks. It is crucial that you discuss the benefits as well as risks associated with Botulinum toxin injections with your doctor first.
