BOTOX® Medical

Botox isn’t just for wrinkles. BOTOX® Medical, also commonly referred to as BOTOX® Therapeutic, is a safe, effective treatment for several medical conditions that seriously impact the well-being and quality of life of millions of people around the world.

Botox has been cleared by Health Canada for medical uses since 1990 and has since become a common treatment for a variety of medical conditions, including chronic migraines, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, and hyperhidrosis, also known as excessive sweating.

Botox for Migraines

BOTOX® Medical is often used for the treatment of chronic migraines, which is a debilitating condition that an estimated 1% – 2.2% of the world’s population suffers from and is characterized by migraines attacks for 15 days or more per month. You can learn more about the characteristics and symptoms of chronic migraines here.

Botox for chronic migraines has been an approved use of Botox by Health Canada since 2011, and it’s proven both safe and effective in that time with 70% – 80% of patients feeling noticeable improvement. It works by blocking the neurotransmitters and proteins that are released during a migraine, generally at the point where the nerves and muscles meet. Not only has Botox been shown to decrease the frequency and duration of chronic migraines, but the attacks are often less severe, easier to control with other treatments, come with less intense headaches and neck pain, and are less likely to be triggered.

Dr. Mah is a physician and certified master injector with over 30 years of experience practicing medicine and over 15 years in injecting Botox. He’s well-known for his dedication to ensuring that his patients only receive the treatments that are in their best interest. If you’re interested in a consultation with Dr. Mah to find out if BOTOX® Medical for migraines might be a good option for you, you can contact us to set up an appointment.

Botox for TMJ/TMD

Botox is a well-respected and highly successful treatment for temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders or TMD, and it works by relaxing the jaw muscles, preventing excessive jaw tension, which often results in

• Sore cheeks and jaw
• Teeth clenching or grinding
• Lockjaw and difficulty speaking or chewing
• Neck and shoulder pain
• Tension headaches.

Studies have shown botox injections relieve TMD symptoms by as much as 90% in patients who had little or no success with mouthguards, stress relief techniques, and other conservative treatments.

Botox is well-known as a cosmetic treatment, and when injecting botox into the face even for medical purposes, there can be cosmetic implications. Botox relaxes the muscles, which in the case of jaw injections, can result in a slimmer jaw line and smother skin in that area.

At Nova MD, our in-house physician, Dr. Mah, performs all Botox injections and is experienced in injecting BOTOX® Medical and BOTOX® Cosmetic. He’s uniquely equipped to handle concerns and answer questions, stemming from all types of botox treatments. You can contact us to ask him how BOTOX® Medical for TMJ could impact your health and appearance.

Botox for Hyperhidrosis

Botox is a common treatment for patients suffering from hyperhidrosis, also known as excessive sweating. This condition generally presents most strongly in the palms, soles of the feet, and armpits, where excessive sweat is produced regardless of body temperature. This can have an incredibly detrimental effect on confidence and quality of life.

There have been other treatment options for hyperhidrosis prior to Botox, but they have often been found to be ineffective, invasive, the cause of too many side effects, or excessively time consuming. Dr. Mah can perform Botox injections for Hyperhidrosis in a 20 – 30-minute appointment after consultation, and studies have shown a more than 85% reduction in sweat production in the affected area.

Botox works in treating hyperhidrosis by blocking the nerve impulses that signal the glands under our skin to produce sweat, essentially “turning sweat glands off” in problem areas. Because the sweat glands in all of the other areas of the body are unaffected, your body will still be able to effectively thermoregulate. Results should start to appear after 3 – 5 days and be in full effect after 2 weeks although results may vary between individuals.

General Side Effects of Botox

Botox is generally considered very safe, but there are a few possible side effects when receiving BOTOX® Medical that you should be aware of. Because botox is a neurotoxin, albeit a well-tested one, the body occasionally reacts to it with some flu-like symptoms, including headaches, constipation, chills, and nausea. Redness, bruising, mild pain or tenderness, and some muscle weakness at the injection site are also common. Fortunately, these symptoms typically appear in fewer than 5% of patients and are usually mild, gradually disappearing on their own over the course of a few days or weeks.

Medical Insurance Coverage for Botox

Medical insurance will often cover Botox treatments for medical purposes so long as the condition you’re treating falls under specific guidelines and you’ve already tried other treatments unsuccessfully. If you have any questions about whether you might be eligible for coverage for your BOTOX® Medical treatments, we recommend speaking with your insurance provider.

Interested in BOTOX® Medical?

BOTOX® Medical might not be right for you, but it is right for millions of people all over the world and you could be one of them. Scroll down to book a consultation with Dr. Mah to discuss your situation and get customized recommendations and a treatment plan. We’ll never recommend a course of treatment that we don’t believe will be in your best interest.