Botox has been utilized for the treatment of contractures in order to loosen up the paralyzed muscles.  Botox is a toxin produced by bacteria, which paralyses the muscle in which it is injected.  This paralysis of the muscle can help loosen up a contracture or weaken a muscle, which can decrease the pain or help loosen a tight limb to help with hygiene. It can also decrease nerve irritation because of decreasing muscle tightness and spasming.  This weakness of the muscle can help decrease the pressure on a nerve, which is closely related to this muscle and thus result in relief of pain and conditions such as certain kinds of headaches or even from certain resistant trigger points.  These are fairly safe injections and complications or other side effects are rare in appropriately done injections.