Botulinum Neurotoxin Injections

The introduction of botulinum neurotoxin as a therapeutic tool in the late 1980s revolutionized the treatment of dystonia by offering a new, localized method to significantly relieve symptoms for many people. Botulinum neurotoxin, a biological product, is injected into specific muscles where it acts to relax the muscles and reduce excessive muscle contractions.

Botulinum neurotoxin is derived from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. It is a nerve "blocker" that binds to the nerves that lead to the muscle and prevents the release of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter that activates muscle contractions. If the message is blocked, muscle spasms are significantly reduced or eliminated.

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