How Botox Helps Manage Neck Spasms and Pain.
In 2024, I faced my second battle with cancer.
I went through a radical neck dissection and another 35 rounds of radiation, in addition to the 35 rounds I had already endured in 2021.
By 2025, I began struggling with fibrosis and tightness in my neck.
The pain spread from my shoulder to my ear.
Damage to my vagus nerve (VAY-guss nerve) left my voice raspy and weak.
I developed dystonia (dis-TOE-nee-uh).
What is Dystonia?
Dystonia is a neurological disorder where muscles contract uncontrollably, causing tightness, spasms, or abnormal posture.
It can affect one muscle, a group of muscles, or the entire body.
My dystonia developed in the neck after cancer surgery, radiation, and nerve damage, including damage to my vagus nerve.
Radiation and scar tissue can irritate nerves and muscles, leading them to misfire and spasm.
Neck dystonia, also called cervical dystonia (SIR-vih-kul dis-TOE-nee-uh), can cause severe twisting or pulling of the head, stiffness, and pain.
How Botox Helps Dystonia?
Botox, or botulinum (BOT-you-LYE-num) toxin, is a purified protein made from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum (klaus-TRID-ee-um BOT-you-LYE-num).
It works by temporarily blocking the release of acetylcholine (ah-SET-il-KO-leen), the chemical messenger that tells muscles to contract.
When injected into overactive muscles, it reduces spasms and stiffness, giving relief from pain and abnormal pulling.
Botox does not cure the underlying cause, such as radiation scarring or nerve damage.
It makes the muscles relax so daily life is more manageable.
The effects usually last three to four months before another round of injections is needed.
On August 22, 2025, I received Botox injections to help with dystonia in my neck.
The doctor used a needle electromyography (ee-LECK-tro-my-OG-ra-fee), also called needle EMG, for guidance.
What is a Needle Electromyography?
A very thin needle, which also acts as an electrode, is inserted directly into a muscle.
This needle picks up the tiny electrical signals that muscle fibers produce.
When the muscle is resting, it should be quiet with no signals.
When you contract the muscle, the motor nerves fire, and the EMG records those signals as waveforms on a monitor.
At the same time, the machine makes crackling or popping sounds that match the electrical activity.
In my case, the EMG was used as a guidance tool.
The sound and visual feedback let my doctor know precisely when the needle was in the right muscle, so the Botox could be injected exactly where it would help most.
As the needle entered the muscle, the needle EMG picked up electrical activity, displaying waveforms on a monitor and making clicking and popping sounds.
That sound told the doctor when the muscle was firing, making sure the Botox went exactly where it was needed.
Some muscles showed weaker signals, a reminder of the scarring left behind from surgery and radiation.
How soon can you feel results after Botox for dystonia?
Most people start noticing relief within three to seven days after Botox injections.
The maximum benefit usually appears within two to four weeks.
This is because the Botox protein needs time to block the release of acetylcholine, the chemical messenger that tells muscles to contract.
Relief often begins with reduced spasms, less pulling, and easier movement of the affected muscles.
Some patients may notice early soreness at the injection sites, but this usually fades as the Botox begins working.
My Outcome of the Botox Injection Using Needle EMG.
The first two days, the injection sites were sore.
The goal is to reduce spasms and stiffness. Botox is expected to give my neck greater mobility and less pain.
For people with cervical dystonia, Botox is considered the first-line treatment, with studies showing that up to 90 percent of patients improve after injections.
Although not permanent, this treatment can significantly improve daily function and quality of life for those living with cancer-related dystonia.
Sources
Dystonia Medical Research Foundation – What is Dystonia?
National Cancer Institute – Late Effects of Radiation Therapy.
Mayo Clinic – Cervical Dystonia Overview.
American Academy of Neurology – Botulinum Toxin Treatment for Neurological Disorders.
Parkinson’s Foundation – Botox for Movement Disorders.
Johns Hopkins Medicine – Electromyography (EMG).
PubMed Review – Botulinum toxin treatment of cervical dystonia.