Botox shot can relieve people from chronic pain

Botox is more than just a solution to beat wrinkles. It can even be used as a pain medication to fight Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), according to a new study. Researchers have found that a jab of botox can relieve chronic pain.

Figures revealed that almost 5 to 26 people out of every 100,000 have their lives significantly disrupted by some form of chronic pain. Traditionally, treatments for the nervous system-based pain disorder have included massage, physiotherapy, stretching and strengthening exercises, and heat/cold therapy.

But, despite this, many patients often continue to experience disruptive pain. The study found that injecting Botox into the area affected by pain provides significant pain control.

In the study, eight patients suffering from severe pain received an average of nine injections - one every four weeks. All of patients reported a significant improvement (31.25 percent) in their daily pain control that was maintained for up to 17 months.

The study was presented at the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) Plastic Surgery 2009 conference, October 23-27, in Seattle.