Botox & Spasticity
My wife Rock is now just above two years since her stroke. Although she has improved very much but her left hand shows very little progress. Lately we consulted with her physiotherapist on her situation and she recommended BOTOX Injection to help with the recovery process. I take this opportunity to share on this treatment, what is BOTOX, how it works, how it helps in the physiotherapy and the effects and consequences involved.
BOTOX or Botulinum Toxin Type A is a natural purified protein extracted from bacteria in molds. Normally the brain sends electrochemical messages to the muscles via nerves to make them contract and move. These messages are transmitted from a nerve to the muscle by a substance called Acetycholine. In the case of spasticity in stroke survivors, where too much Acetylcholine is released, the muscles become overly active and spasms or tightening up occurs. Botox temporarily blocks the nerve’s ability to release acetylcholine and hence muscles are released from tightness or spasms.
After injection, it takes a few days for the Botox to take effect and usually lasts about 3 to 4 months. The amount and the exact location for these injections are determined by a medical practitioner. When the muscles are relaxed, the stroke survivor have to do appropriate, vigorous and intensive exercises or physiotherapy for the muscles to gain strength and hence mobility. Sometimes a few cycles of Botox Injections are necessary to achieve such goals.
As with all injections, the patient may experience pain, tenderness or bruising. Other side effects such as flu like symptoms, joint pain, headaches, skin rash, itchiness, nausea and even dizziness. However these are only temporary and should clear-up very fast.
Botox Injections are not only for stroke survivors but also for other causes of spasticity such as injury to the central nervous system due to accidents, falls etc. Cerebral Palsy, Multiple Sclerosis and Spinal Cord Injury patients can use Botox Treatment to help in their recovery processes.
Read Related Posts on Stroke
What is a Stroke?
Facts of Stroke & The Warning Signs.
Stroke Risk Factors.
Understanding Spasticity
Eating & The Stroke Survivor
The Job No One Asks For
Caregivers Month
Great blog! Thanks. I recently had Botox done and by accident I stumbled upon http://www.thepatientsadvantage.com. I used them when looking for a provider.
What I liked the most was that my profile remained anynomyous until I was ready to decide what to do. I received replies from four surgeons that met all the things I was looking for. I liked having that complete control without the sales pressure that some of these places can be known for.
If you are going to go down the cosmetic surgery road…better to be safe than sorry. Check them out.
Comment by Ally — November 12, 2007 @ 11:40 pm
Hi ally, thank-you so much for sharing and commenting.Yes we must be careful whenever we need to get medical treatment!
Comment by bokjae — December 17, 2007 @ 5:44 am
Thank you for that great article!
I’ve nerver had any botox experience untill now, but I’m only 41. To remove my wrinkles I use a safer product than botox injections.
It is called Safetox Beauty, but you can only find it in France. It is a medical device that was used in hospital to treat migraines.
In France, doctors also said that it can reduce the botox injections by 3.
Maybe you would like to check the product:
http://www.safetoxbeauty.com
Donna
Comment by Donna — January 4, 2008 @ 10:52 pm
[...] Understanding Spasticity Eating & The Stroke Survivor ~ The Job No One Asks For Caregivers Month ~ Botox & Spasticity ~ The ABC’s of Caregiving Behavioural Changes ~ There is Hope ~ Improving [...]
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[...] Understanding Spasticity Eating & The Stroke Survivor ~ The Job No One Asks For Caregivers Month ~ Botox & Spasticity ~ The ABC’s of Caregiving Behavioural Changes ~ There is Hope ~ Improving [...]
Pingback by Nurture Your Own » Stroke & Diet - Part 4 (End). — April 19, 2008 @ 2:50 pm
[...] Understanding Spasticity Eating & The Stroke Survivor ~ The Job No One Asks For Caregivers Month ~ Botox & Spasticity ~ The ABC’s of Caregiving Behavioural Changes ~ There is Hope ~ Improving [...]
Pingback by Nurture Your Own » Stroke & Diet - Part 2 — April 19, 2008 @ 2:53 pm
[...] with a doctor for the Botox Injection to certain muscle groups in her left hand. I did a post on Botox & Spasticity at Nurture Your Own and for more details you can read it all [...]
Pingback by Botox Treatment | The Walk of Life — October 2, 2008 @ 6:15 pm