Botox is often used to help relieve chronic conditions like TMJ pain. But for some people, the reaction can be unexpectedly intense.
Recently, I worked with a client who experienced a strong response after a Botox injection. Her symptoms escalated quickly: pain, inflammation, nausea, and tension spreading into her ribcage for days. Her discomfort was at a 10/10. She felt overwhelmed in her own body.
Instead of fighting the experience, we took a different approach.
Step 1: Ending the Fight With What Already Happened
We began with a simple but powerful shift: allowing the experience to be as it was.
Resistance to pain is natural, but when something has already happened, resisting it often adds another layer of suffering. Gently acknowledging “this is what’s here right now” helped her body start to settle, even slightly.
Step 2: Bringing Gentle Attention to the Body
From that place of allowance, we introduced soft, non-invasive awareness to the body.
Not trying to fix.
Not trying to force change.
Just bringing a quality of calm, attentive presence.
As she stayed with this, her stomach pain began to soften. What was once tightly contracted started to feel more spacious. Her overall discomfort dropped from a 10 to around a 7.
Step 3: Shifting the Relationship With the Body
We then worked on how she was relating to her body.
Instead of seeing it as the source of the problem, she began speaking to it internally with appreciation:
“Thank you for doing your best to handle this. I know you’re working hard. I’m here with you.”
This shift, from frustration to support, reduced internal tension. The body no longer felt like an enemy, but something being supported through a difficult process.
Step 4: Meeting Specific Symptoms With Awareness
We brought focused attention to the nausea and bitterness rising from her stomach.
Rather than resisting it, she acknowledged it as part of the body’s response, possibly a protective or balancing mechanism. She stayed present with it, without panic.
Gradually, the nausea eased.
Finally, we focused on the injection site and jaw pain, applying the same principles of gentle awareness and softening. This too began to soften.
The Result
By the end of the session, her discomfort had reduced from a 10/10 to about a 5/10.
More importantly, her state had changed.
Her face softened. She was able to smile again.
The sense of overwhelm had lifted.
Continuing the Process
Healing didn’t end in that session.
She was encouraged to continue:
- Bringing gentle attention to areas of discomfort
- Speaking to her body with support rather than criticism
- Allowing sensations instead of bracing against them
This becomes a practice, not a one-time fix.
A Note on Botox Reactions
Reactions to Botox can happen. Some people experience side effects like pain, flu-like symptoms, or muscle tension, especially when used for therapeutic purposes like TMJ.
If symptoms are severe or unusual, medical guidance should always be the first step.
A Different Way to Meet Pain
This approach isn’t about denying discomfort or avoiding medical care.
It’s about changing how we meet what’s already happening in the body.
Because sometimes, the shift from resistance to support is where healing begins.
The gentle energy healing method we used here was EMO Energy in Motion.
What Next?
If you’re dealing with ongoing pain, sensitivity, or strong reactions in the body and would like gentle support, you can book a free introductory session with me. We’ll explore what’s happening and whether this approach is right for you. Contact me by email or whatsapp below.
Sandra Hillawi 