Botox injections to eliminate facial wrinkles are one of the most popular cosmetic surgery procedures in the United States. But a new, small study has found that Botox does more than just erase crow's feet, it's also an effective method of treating writer's cramp.

Writer's cramp is the involuntary contraction of finger, hand, or arm muscles that occurs when writing or performing physical tasks. This condition, which afflicts three to seven of every 100,000 Americans, may negatively impact careers, social lives, and self-esteem.

Botox Eases Writer's Cramp

Until now, there were no effective treatments for writers cramp, and other forms of therapy such as acupuncture, relaxation, and hypnosis only offered limited relief.

A group of researchers conducted a small study, published online in the Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery and Psychiatry, that tested the use of Botox compared with a placebo on 40 participants who suffer from writer's cramp.

According to the study results, 70 percent of the patients who received Botox injections experienced a significant improvement and continued the treatment. Only 31.6 percent of participants in the placebo group experienced the same improvements. After the first year, half of the original patients were still finding Botox injections helpful.

“This study provides ample evidence for the beneficial effect of Botulinum toxin injections on writer's cramp,” said the lead author of the study Dr. Jose Kruisdijk.

Some drawbacks to the procedure include mild hand muscle weakness in some participants and the fact that Botox only offers temporary relief. Patients require repeat injections every few months.

Is Botox Safe?

Botox is a purified form of the toxin Clostridium botulinum that when released, produces a chemical that causes muscles to contract. It was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 1998 for the treatment of eye conditions such as “lazy eye,” and has become wildly popular for cosmetic use. Botox is also used to treat victims of disabilities such as stroke or cerebral palsy.

Botox is extremely safe, but patients who choose to receive injections should only go to a qualified neurologist, a board certified plastic surgeon, or other licensed medical professional.

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