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Botox: the secret to happy feet?
Botox is being used for more than zapping wrinkles. Photo: Getty
It’s famous for blitzing wrinkles, but it seems the uses for botox go further than making you look younger.
It could also make you feel better. While it’s been used to treat serious conditions like cerebral palsy and stroke for some time, low-dose injections of botulinum toxin are now going mainstream, touted as the solution for a range of tricky-to-treat health issues. Like what? Read on.
PLANTAR FASCIITIS
This ouch-inducing condition is surprisingly common. It sets in when the band of tissue on the bottom of the foot is overused (hello, too much treadmill), causing inflammation. The good news? A Mexican study found that botox (plus stretching) alleviates plantar fasciitis pain better than steroids. Team that with general tweaks like wearing supportive shoes or orthotics, replacing runners before they get worn out and swapping to low-impact workouts, like swimming to find sweet relief!
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OVERACTIVE BLADDER
Characterised by a frequent, sometimes urgent need to pee, it affects up to 37% of Australian woman. While a GP will often suggest weight loss, pelvic floor exercises, reducing caffeine intake, or medication first, botox may be an option - according to one US study it’s twice as effective at eliminating symptoms as meds. Bonus: botox is listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) for treating some bladder issues. A win for your wallet!
CHRONIC MIGRAINES
They’re notoriously hard to treat, but in some cases doctors are using strategically placed botox jabs into the forehead, temples, neck, shoulders and back of the head to keep symptoms at bay. It’s thought to reduce migraine frequency by relaxing muscles and calming the nerve endings, explains Dr Alexander Mauskop, director of the New York Headache Centre. Take that, pain!
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