Physicians in Tehran recently studied the use of Botulinum toxin for treatment of chronic tennis elbow, also known as lateral epicondylitis. The study, which appears in the Journal of the Canadian Medical Association, shows that Botox may reduce pain associated with tennis elbow, but as a side effect, it may also cause weakness in finger extension.
At the Imam Khomeini Hospital Complex in Tehran, a randomized placebo-controlled trial was conducted with 48 patients. They were injected with either Botox or saline, the placebo. Injection sites were customized for each patient’s anatomy.
When Botox injections were performed with anatomic measurements as a guide, they “significantlyreduced pain at rest in patients with chronic refractory lateralepicondylitis.” Due to the side effects, the treatment may not be appropriate for patients who require finger extension.
To correct facial lines and wrinkles, some people on the east coast are spending their money on acupuncture, the ancient Chinese therapy believed to help alleviate a variety of physical ailments and emotional imbalances.
In this youtube video of an ABC News segment, Dr. Bruce Genter, a surgeon well known in Philadelphia is critical of acupuncture as a wrinkle treatment, citing the lack of scientific evidence for that purpose.
But when people claim that it works, are they seeing real results? If so, is it a cost effective treatment method?
Julia Engstrom, who is featured in the video, says she has undergone Botox treatment and laser treatment in the past. She believes facial acupuncture has improved her skin texture and reduced her wrinkles. Nearing the end of 10 treatments, she says her improvements are a result of improved sleep and relaxation after acupuncture. “I’ve noticed that my skin is a lot smoother, [there’s] a lot less red pigment in there and the wrinkling seems to be a lot less,” Engstrom said.
Does the start of the New Year have you thinking about ways to improve your appearance? If time has etched lines, wrinkles and grooves into your face, finding a solution may be near the top of your self-improvement wish list.
By now, you probably know that BOTOX is a highly diluted form of the botulinum toxin used to correct certain facial lines and wrinkles. FDA-approved in 2002, BOTOX injections may be the single most popular non-surgical procedure to reduce or eliminate facial lines, wrinkles and grooves.
Have wrinkles appeared out of nowhere?
Crow’s feet, lines and even deep grooves appear on our faces over the years, the result of our natural expressiveness, lifestyle habits, and the tendency to move our facial muscles in habitual ways. For instance, you may squint a lot (when you’re concentrating, when you’re worried, when the sun is bright, or when you are trying to focus your vision.) As the years go by, this repetitive motion begins to carve lines in your face and can eventually result in a permanent expression of worry or intense concentration.
Pharmaceutical company Allergan Inc., has filed suit against the FDA, arguing that restrictions placed on the marketing of Botox for off-label use actually work against the best interest of patients and physicians.
While Botox is commonly used – and FDA approved – to treat wrinkles on the face and forehead, a wide range of other treatment applications have been successfully used. Doctors have used Botox to treat hyperhidrosis, migraine headaches, and muscle spasms.
Last year, the FDA announced that Botox complications had been linked to off-label use, particularly in children treated for limb spasticity. According to current U.S. law, doctors are permitted to administer medicine for whatever application they deem appropriate. Doctors aren’t however, allowed to market medicine for any application they please.
The marketing restrictions on Botox have apparently hindered the pharmaceutical company’s ability to distribute safety information related to off-label use. The lawsuit is intended to increase the physician’s ability to access safety information such as possible risks, benefits, dosing, patient selection, etc. and is in no way intended to increase sales of Botox.
Are you one of the many Americans pounding pavement every day seeking a new career? You’re probably well aware that competition is fierce these days. Many people are considering the possibility that their appearance may be affecting their prospects to some extent.
To get an advantage, many job seekers have turned to their hair stylist for a new look, or their local surgeon for Botox or Dysport wrinkle injections. When you have to compete with young adults just out of college, who often accept a much lower wage, you need to present yourself in the best possible light.
Men and women are using some of their extra time to get a little touchup, with injectables like Botox, a wrinkle filler, or even eyelid surgery. Botox is the most popular non- invasive cosmetic procedure in the U.S. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, more than 5 million treatments were done last year. The cost of a single treatment will vary, and it pays to keep an eye out for monthly specials and events.
If you are going for treatments prior to a job interview, give yourself at least 7 days to heal from Botox and other injectables. Remember, doing well on an interview is not only about how you look, but whether you exude confidence about yourself and your ability to do the job.
Last March, researchers with the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) conducted a survey that has given us some insight about patients who choose wrinkle treatments. Researchers sent questionnaires to 687 patients who had received Botox and/or dermal filler treatment.
The following statistics illustrate the opinions of the ‘typical’ patient. Who is the ‘typical’ patient? “A married, working mother between 41-55 years of age with a household income of under $100,000.”
Roughly 70 percent of the respondents claimed that Botox and dermal fillers play an important role in their cosmetic routine.
When asked what their motivation was for pursuing Botox treatment, 34 percent said their appearance looked “stressed” or “angry”. Others said that a friend, family member, or their physician had recommended it, or they were preparing for a social event. 66 percent said they received Botox treatment 2-3 times per year. 72 percent of the respondents chose Botox to treat glabellar lines – the vertical lines that appear between your eyebrows.
When asked about their motivation to use hyaluronic acid fillers, the majority (63 percent) of patients reported a desire to remove facial wrinkles and folds – mostly the nasolabial folds that travel from the nose to each side of the mouth.
Nearly 70 percent of the respondents who had been treated with Botox also opted for dermal filler treatment.
A full summary of the results is available (in MS Word) here.
Dysport – the new Botox competitor from Ipsen and Medicis Pharmaceutical – just received FDA approval for treating wrinkles and dystonia. Plastic surgeons and dermatologists expect to have the drug available in about 30 days.
Although Medicis had planned to rebrand the product as ‘Reloxin’, they ultimately decided to retain its original European name, Dysport. (pronounced Diss-port).
Botox and Dysport both perform the same basic function – neuromuscular blocking to relax and prevent wrinkles. Dysport is said to be more diluted than Botox and perhaps, more cost effective for providers.
The April 30th announcement coincided with a 3 percent drop in Allergan’s (maker of Botox) shares, as Medicis shares jumped 14 percent. Analysts and industry professionals expect Dysport to carry a slightly lower price tag than Botox, and speculate that it may capture 30 percent of the market.
time has etched lines, wrinkles and grooves into your face, finding a solution may be near the top of your self-improvement wish list.
Pharmaceutical company Allergan Inc., has filed suit against the FDA, arguing that restrictions placed on the marketing of 
Are you one of the many Americans pounding pavement every day seeking a new career? You’re probably well aware that competition is fierce these days. Many people are considering the possibility that their appearance may be affecting their prospects to some extent.
Dysport – the new 
