pic

Botox Specialist

Pain Management Specialists & Anesthesiologists located in Des Moines, IA & West Des Moines, IA

misc image

Botox services offered in Corner of Westown Pwky and 60th Street in West Des Moines, West Des Moines and East side of Des Moines, next to Perkins off of East Euclid, East Des Moines, IA

Although Botox® is best known as an aesthetic treatment, it’s also a highly effective therapy for several chronic medical conditions. The experienced physicians at Metro Anesthesia & Pain Management use Botox to help patients with problems like migraines, myofascial pain syndrome, and muscle spasms. At their offices in West Des Moines and Des Moines, Iowa, they deliver precision Botox injections that offer lasting relief from these and other distressing disorders. To see how Botox can help you, call Metro Anesthesia & Pain Management today or request an appointment using the online form.

Botox Q & A

What is Botox?

Botox is an injectable neurotoxin. Millions of people in the United States benefit from Botox treatments for aesthetic issues like crow’s feet and forehead lines, but it’s also a valuable treatment for chronic pain. 

Medical Botox is a form of the botulinum toxin, a naturally occurring poison that causes paralysis. After laboratory refinement, the toxin becomes Botox, a safe treatment for certain chronic pain conditions.

Why might I need medical Botox treatment?

Metro Anesthesia & Pain Management might recommend Botox treatment if you have a chronic condition such as:

Migraines

Migraines are severe, recurring headaches. The pain they cause can be so disabling you find it difficult or impossible to function normally during an attack. In addition to the pain in your head, you might experience nausea and vomiting, weakness and dizziness, and visual disturbances.

Cervical dystonia

Cervical dystonia (also called spasmodic torticollis) causes you to make twisting motions with your head and neck that you’re unable to control.

Myofascial pain

Myofascial pain comes from the fascia, a network of white, cobweb-like connective tissue surrounding your muscles.

Blepharospasm

Blepharospasm affects the muscles around your eyes, causing involuntary contractions and blinking.

Chronic muscle spasms

Injuries, overuse, and prolonged irritation can sometimes cause your muscles to spasm persistently.

How does Botox help with these conditions?

Botox disrupts the messages your nerve endings are sending to the muscle fibers they control. Successful communication between the nerves and muscles relies on acetylcholine, a chemical that Botox injections block.

Consequently, your muscles don’t receive any signals from your nerves. The muscles stop contracting, and your soft tissues relax, resulting in a reduction in pain and preventing uncontrolled twitches and spasms.

What happens when I have Botox treatment?

Metro Anesthesia & Pain Management performs Botox injections as an in-office procedure.

The injections use fine needles that cause minor discomfort. However, to ensure you feel nothing, your doctor can provide you with an anesthetic cream beforehand to numb the skin.

Within a week of your Botox treatment, you should find the pain is improving. Most patients experience several months of relief from their symptoms following Botox injections, but the effects often wear off after three months. 

You can maintain your results by having four Botox treatments a year at three-month intervals.

To find out whether you could benefit from Botox injections, call Metro Anesthesia & Pain Management today or book an appointment online.