Neurology OnabotulinumtoxinA injections are very effective for treating various neurological disorders including, muscle spasticity from stroke, brain injury, MS, intractable headaches, tremors, excessive sweating, and more.
Our office offers OnabotulinumtoxinA therapy as soon as one to two business days of initial office evaluation for eligible patients (for patients who wish to avoid insurance authorization requirements which often takes weeks to obtain.)
What’s the connection between OnabotulinumtoxinA and neurological disorders? Botulinum toxin, or OnabotulinumtoxinA®, for has been proven to be extremely effective for treatment of both migraine and tension type headaches. OnabotulinumtoxinA has been used to treat many different neurological conditions including certain types of movements disorders such as torticollis, cervical dystonia, blepharospasm… etc. The benefits of OnabotulinumtoxinA therapy were in many ways discovered accidentally by physicians who were providing OnabotulinumtoxinA for cosmetic purposes. Many patients felt their headaches and migraines were significantly relieved following administration of OnabotulinumtoxinA.
How does it work?
Intense clinical and basic science research done with OnabotulinumtoxinA has revealed the likely mechanism by which OnabotulinumtoxinA treats migraines. In short, OnabotulinumtoxinA works by stopping the release of chemicals in the brain that cause muscle contraction, pain, and inflammation within the scalp and face. Numerous animal and human clinical trial involving hundreds of patients show that OnabotulinumtoxinA injections significantly reduce both the intensity and frequency of headaches.
What are the side effects?
Many patients are fearful of neurology OnabotulinumtoxinA injections because its name incorporates the word toxin. However, OnabotulinumtoxinA is synthesized, purified, and administered in very small doses that make it very safe and effective. The best part of OnabotulinumtoxinA is that it is not associated with side effects like many medicines. Conventional medical therapy uses medications that enter the bloodstream and can adversely affect all parts of the body. OnabotulinumtoxinA is an injection targeted against only the parts of the scalp where the pain is generated and felt. OnabotulinumtoxinA does not have any significant side-effects when administered correctly and at the appropriate dose. Occasionally, some patients experience droopiness of the eyelid with OnabotulinumtoxinA injections given around the eyelids. This effect usually wears off within six to eight weeks and is very rare.
How long does it take to work?
OnabotulinumtoxinA usually takes two to three weeks for maximum benefit. Of course, there is some individual variation. It may take more or less time as each person’s body is slightly different in its response to treatment.
How long does the treatment last?
Most patients feel the benefits last at least three to four months. Some can have benefits up to nine months to a year. Others never need another session as the abnormal cycle of headache and inflammation can sometimes stop with a single session.
How is OnabotulinumtoxinA administered?
Using a very thin needle, OnabotulinumtoxinA is injected into specific muscles of the scalp, face, and neck. Some patients will require fine-tuning of the injection dosage and sites with each session to achieve optimal results. The injection itself causes minimal discomfort at the site of injection.
How much does OnabotulinumtoxinA therapy cost?
OnabotulinumtoxinA is synthesized and purified by Allergan® pharmaceutical to achieve a safe and effective product. The total cost of OnabotulinumtoxinA for neurological conditions is individualized with each patient. Health insurance companies often DO cover the cost of OnabotulinumtoxinA therapy for migraines. A careful, detailed examination of the patient is performed to evaluate for neurological conditions that often lead to severe neck pain and headaches which are covered by health insurance. Statistical analysis of the total cost of prescriptions drugs, lost work and productivity, and emergency room visits have shown OnabotulinumtoxinA to be very cost-effective.
Overall, the cost of OnabotulinumtoxinA is individualized for each patient to optimize the benefits and make it affordable. For an estimate on neurology OnabotulinumtoxinA injections, you may call the staff at NeuroSpa at (949) 652-7301.
What other neurological conditions can OnabotulinumtoxinA be used for?
• Excessive muscle spasticity associated with strokes, multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury
• Hemifacial spasm (involuntary spasms of face)
• Blepharospasm (involuntary and excessive contraction of eyelid muscles)
• Dystonia (involuntary muscle contractions often seen in the neck, hands, feet, etc.)
• Head Tremor
• Myofascial neck or back pain (due to excessive muscle spasticity)
• Hyperhidrosis (Excessive sweating of hands, armpits, etc.)
