If you’ve been following our blog, you’re now familiar with the temporomandibular joint and the pain that can result from TMJ disorders. Today, our Seattle dentist is discussing a different type of pain that can be rooted in the jaw – myofascial pain. While myofascial pain is different from TMJ pain, there are similar treatments available to calm both types of muscle stress. Botox injected at trigger points could relive you of pain manifesting throughout your body. If you have experienced sharp points of pain in your neck, shoulder, or back muscles in the last few months, read on to learn more about a potential solution.
What is Myofascial Pain?
Myofascial pain, like TMJ pain, can stem from problems with your TMJ / jaw muscles. Unlike TMJ pain, myofascial pain can appear anywhere in your body (this type of pain is called referred pain). Trigger points can form for any number of reasons, ranging from depression to stress to trauma. The muscles at these trigger points contract but cannot release. They send out pain signals via the spinal cord to other muscles in your body. That pain can appear in other muscles; most commonly ones in your neck, shoulders, and upper back. Myofascial pain can be sudden and debilitating – a sharp, deep twinge that seems unstopping. That’s where Botox can come into play.
Botox Treatment at Trigger Points
You’ve likely heard of Botox – but do you know exactly how it works? Botox relaxes target muscles to prevent them from contracting. The purified protein blocks nerve receptors from reading commands to keep muscles relaxed. Because of its ability to calm muscles, Botox has a wide variety of applications across the body.
Botox injected at the jaw or other trigger points will relax the muscles at the source of the problem. A soothed jaw will relieve you of those painful moments of myofascial pain. Dr. Okamura has been using Botox for myofascial pain for some time now, and we have been overjoyed to see the positive response among our patients. Myofascial pain can make you feel hopeless and trapped. But there is a way out. If anything in this post rang familiar with your pain situation, please give us a call to discuss your treatment options.
