Botox ?not just for Looks but for Back Pain?

Botox ?not just for Looks but for Back Pain?

Reference:Waseem Z, et al Botulinum toxin injections for low-back pain and sciatica Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2011; 1:CD008257.

Botulinum neurotoxin (i.e. Botox) injections have been shown to decrease muscle spasms and thereby potentially reduce pain. It only makes sense that it is worth trying to inject it into those suffering with low back pain and spasms. The challenge is that the Cochran Database can only conclude that ?

There is very low quality evidence that Botox injections improve pain or function better than saline injections, acupuncture or steroid injections.

Interestingly one study showed that Botox injections into the piriformis had some value in those with “sciatica” related to piriformis syndrome.

Regrettably I cannot comment on this topic as I have not yet had any experience with patients who have had the Botulinum neurotoxin injections. If you know of a patient who has had it, please inform me, I?d love to know if it worked!

Posted on: October 06, 2011

Categories: Lumbar Spine , Modalities / Meds / Supplements