Despite its reputation as a go-to superstar for smoothing out wrinkles, the Botox industry brings in half of its revenue in therapeutic treatments for some pretty surprising medical conditions. When used at the proper potency and administered by a licensed professional, this derivative of botulinum toxin has been shown to have affects on everything from depression to abnormal heartbeats.
While more research is needed for many of the 800 patents that Botox has attached to it to be proven truly effective, the FDA has approved several off-label applications. If you suffer from any of the following conditions, talk to your doctor about whether or not Botox treatments can help you find relief:
Excessive Sweating
Do you dread the summertime and avoid light colored shirts due to overactive sweat glands? This particular use for Botox was discovered when doctors realized that patients who had received cosmetic treatments were sweating less. It’s been proven effective in areas that are usually most affected by the condition, including the underarms, on the palms, and on the soles of the feet.
Neck Spasms
Cervical dystonia, or neck spasms, are caused when the muscles of our neck contract unpredictably, causing the head to twist from one side to the other, or from front to back. The condition can be incredibly painful and frustrating to contend with. Botox has been used to treat neck spasms since 2000, even before it was approved for treating between-the-brow frown lines.
Migraine Headaches
In much the same way that it was discovered as a treatment for excessive sweating, this surprising off-label use of Botox was discovered accidentally when a doctor noticed that his patients were experiencing fewer headaches following cosmetic treatments. Since 2010, migraine treatment with Botox has been approved by the FDA. It requires multiple small injections around the head and face, but can provide relief for up to three months at a time.
Crossed-Eyes
Crossed-eyes, or strabismus, is a condition in which one or both eyes are not aligned correctly. Normally, both eyes will look in the same direction at the same time. For someone living with strabismus, poor muscle control causes the eye to stray up, down, left, or right, making it difficult to focus their sight. In children, this means they loose their depth perception. Adults who develop crossed-eyes later in life often report having double vision. Because Botox relaxes the muscles, injections allow the muscle causing the issue to let the eye align correctly, temporarily treating the condition.
With so many uses, it’s no wonder that Botox remains one of the top cosmetic and medical therapies for muscle-based concerns. Its ability to relax and relieve muscles makes it an invaluable tool in temporarily treating painful or embarrassing issues. If you’re interested in learning more about the uses and treatments associated with Botox, talk to one of our knowledgeable providers! They can help guide you in understanding how a few small injections can make all the difference.
