Botox For Treating Chronic Low Back Pain
Here at the The Spinal Health Clinic, our Pain Doctors are renowned for being at the cutting-edge of the
latest research on lower back pain pathophysiology. We are very mindful that this all too common
condition can cause disability and functional impairment, moreover, as many as 10% of back pain
sufferers can experience persistent symptoms linked to psychological illness and disability
(Manchikanti 2009). So to that end, we provide state-of-the-art Holistic Personalised Treatment
Plans for all our patients. This protocol incorporates prescribing multi-faceted proven treatments,
thus empowering our patients be at their optimum in the shortest amount of time. One of these
proven treatments is Botox for chronic lower back pain.
“Frequently used pharmacologic therapies include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
medications, muscle relaxants, opioids and other analgesics, and antidepressants. In patients
with chronic pain, the majority of these treatments fail to provide complete, lasting relief.
Intramuscular injection of botulinum toxin has been used for a variety of disorders. Given
that chronic back pain often has a component of muscular spasm” [1], our Pain Doctors have
seen that for many patients, the use of Botox injectables is worthwhile
The Botox Advantage
Research indicates that Botox is both a first-class muscle relaxant, and neuropathic pain solution.
Moreover, as our Pain Doctors regularly explain to patients: generally speaking, Botox injectables
are safe, and many patients experience sustained pain relief.
Furthermore, when it comes to the management of long-term back pain and pain relief, Botox has
been scientifically shown to help many patients. Moreover, this treatment is excellent for anyone
who is suffering from back pain derived from a myofascial origin. Myofascial pain syndrome refers
to a long-standing pain condition involving various muscles along with the fine cover of tissue
(fascia), which holds them in place. Pressure on these regions, which are named trigger points,
generates pain. In some instances, the pain is experienced in other areas of the body.
Procedure
Many of our lower back pain patients come to the clinic in their lunchtimes or after work. The
BoNT (intramuscular botulinum neurotoxin) injections do not take long for the Pain Specialist to
inject, and you can return to work right away. The BoNT is freeze dried then reconstituted using a
saline solution. The Botox is gently injected a number of times (intramuscularly) into the necessary
areas which were previously pinpointed during your consultation with one of our Pain Doctors.
Putting a Spotlight on the Research “Botulinum neurotoxin A may be beneficial in patients with chronic low back pain. A favourable initial response predicts subsequent responsiveness. The treatment is well tolerated, and side effects are mild and transient” [1]
One long-term lower back pain study (reported in Pain Medicine) comprised 75 adult patients who
were given periodic Botox treatments over a 14 month window. It demonstrated that when: “pain
intensity, pain frequency (pain days), and perceived functional status, were assessed, at 3 weeks, 40
patients (53%) and at 2 months, 39 patients (52%) reported significant pain relief, and among initial
responders, 91% continued responsiveness over the length of the study” [1].
In another study reported in Am Fam Physician, adult subjects who had suffered from lower back pain for a minimum of 6 months were given Botox injections: “at eight weeks, nine of 15 patients
reported pain relief exceeding 50 percent. On the functional scale, similar improvements were
reported. There were no reports of adverse side effects” [2].
References
[1]. Bahman et al. Pain Medicine, Volume 7, Issue 3, May 2006, Pages 260–264,
https://academic.oup.com/painmedicine/article-abstract/7/3/260/1852094?redirectedFrom=fulltext
[2]. Zepf. B. Botulinum Toxin for Relief of Chronic Low Back Pain
Am Fam Physician. 2001;64 (12):2004-2005
