Botulinum Toxin (Botox) Provides Relief for Excessive Sweating, Jaw Pain, and Chronic Migraines
Recent studies highlight how this treatment is helping patients regain comfort in daily life
3/3/2026
Dr. Thomas Howard, Aspirus Plastic Surgeon
Botulinum toxin, commonly known by the brand name Botox, is widely recognized for its cosmetic applications. Increasingly, it is being used to treat medical conditions such as hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) and temporomandibular joint disorders (TMJ). It’s also FDA-approved for chronic migraine prevention, where it helps reduce headache frequency for many patients who have not responded to other treatments.
A 2024 prospective study patients with primary axillary hyperhidrosis found that botulinum toxin injections reduced sweat production by more than 70 percent over one year and improved scores measuring daily function and emotional well-being. Researchers reported that patients experienced durable results and minimal side effects over the course of the study.
“Botulinum toxin can be a valuable option for patients who have not found relief through standard treatments,” said Thomas Howard, MD, FACS, board-certified plastic surgeon at Aspirus. “For hyperhidrosis, this can mean less anxiety about visible sweating. For TMJ disorders, it can reduce pain caused by muscle overactivity and help people return to normal eating and speaking. And for patients with chronic migraines, it can lower the frequency and severity of attacks, helping them stay engaged in daily life.”
Additional research supports botulinum toxin for TMJ-related muscle pain. A 2024 meta-analysis found that Botox significantly reduced pain and muscle tenderness compared to placebo. A separate proof-of-concept study reported longer-lasting pain relief and greater improvements in chewing efficiency when botulinum toxin was combined with other joint procedures.
For chronic migraines, a large set of clinical trials found that patients receiving botulinum toxin had fewer headache days per month compared to those who received placebo, with benefits that lasted for several months between treatments.
While results are encouraging, experts caution that botulinum toxin is not typically the first treatment step. Patients usually try topical medications, night guards, or physical therapy first. For migraine patients, neurologists often recommend lifestyle changes or preventive oral medications before moving to injections. The effects are temporary and repeat treatments are often required to maintain results.
For more information, visit aspirus.org/plastic-surgery.
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