Botox can ease pain that’s unresponsive to treatments like massage and heat/cold therapy, according to a report presented last week at the ASPS annual meeting, held in Seattle. The new report suggests Botox could act as a pain medication to fight chronic regional pain syndrome (CRPS), which, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Strokes, is continuous pain that increases over time and may cause intense burning, skin sensitivity, and swelling.

Many patients with the condition find only limited relief from treatments such as massage, physiotherapy, stretching and strengthening exercises, and heat/cold therapy.

Researchers found that injecting Botox into the affected area improved pain control significantly for patients with CRPS. Eight patients were given Botox injections once a month over a nine-month period. Patients reported a 31.25% decrease in their daily pain control — results that were maintained for up to 17 months.

[Source: ASPS/PSP]