Why it’s done

Botox shots block certain chemical signals from nerves that cause muscles to contract. The most common use of these injections is to relax the facial muscles that cause frown lines and other facial wrinkles.

Botox injections also are used to ease symptoms of some health conditions. It’s not a cure. Examples of medical conditions that might be treated with Botox injections include:

• Neck spasms. In this painful condition, the neck muscles contract in an uncontrolled way. This causes the head to twist or turn into an uncomfortable position. The condition also is called cervical dystonia.
• Other muscle spasms. Cerebral palsy and other conditions of the nervous system can cause the limbs to pull in toward the center of the body. Muscle spasms also can cause eye twitching.
• Lazy eye. The most common cause of lazy eye is an imbalance in the muscles used for moving the eye. Lazy eye also is called crossed eyes or misaligned eyes.
• Sweating. Botox might be used for a condition in which people sweat a lot even when they’re not hot or working up a sweat. It’s called excessive sweating or hyperhidrosis.
• Migraine. Botox injections may help reduce how often you get a migraine. This treatment is used mainly for people who have headaches 15 or more days a month. When you get serious headaches that often, the condition is called chronic migraine. Treatment is needed about every three months to retain the benefit.
• Bladder problems. Botox shots can also help reduce urinary incontinence caused by an overactive bladder.