“Is it time for some Botox™?”

It is well known that neck muscle pain is common in patients after a whiplash trauma. Intense pain is often present, but also tightness and spasm. In addition, the muscles of the neck often remain tighter following exercise.

So what's a person to do? Is it really tight muscles that are the source of pain in whiplash trauma? If so, then wouldn't a treatment like Botox™ injection cause the neck muscles to relax and offer real hope? Sometimes simple logic gets us closer to the truth. But in a complex disorder like whiplash, a simple cure may be nothing more than a sales pitch from a snake oil salesman. Extraordinary claims demand compelling scientific evidence, not just a good story. This is where science comes in; getting us closer to the truth.

Researchers from the Netherlands decided to test the Botox™ theory in 40 patients with chronic whiplash symptoms. The study was randomized and placebo-controlled. The placebo or control treatment was saline (simple salt water) which was also injected into the neck muscles The Botulinium toxin was injected into the patients' necks and they were followed for 12 weeks. The researchers measured days in pain, neck pain hours, and the amount of pain pills taken.

The results showed that Botulinum toxin injections are not effective in the treatment of neck pain in chronic whiplash syndrome.

Other research has shown that disk and ligament sprain injuries are major sources of pain in whiplash. These disorders can affect the posture of your neck, as well as limit the movement of spinal joints. Other joints may move excessively following a whiplash trauma.

Some patients are given muscle relaxants, but these drugs have also been shown to be ineffective. Others take the anti-inflammatory approach and ingest pills to suppress pain. Studies of these drugs have also shown them to be mostly ineffective. There are also unintended side effects that can occur when they are taken over many years, especially stomach bleeding and kidney or liver problems.

Our office can provide a comprehensive management approach to address both the structure and function of your neck, without drugs or invasive surgery.

The jury is now in on Botox™ neck injections for tight neck muscles: avoid it. While it may be a reasonable approach to reduce a few wrinkles in the face, whiplash patients do not benefit from this type of treatment.