Leg BOTOX® Injections

Before its rise to fame as a cosmetic wrinkle-reducer, BOTOX® had a long history of use for treating muscle spasms. BOTOX® was actually originally developed for people with Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, strokes, cerebral palsy, and traumatic brain injuries.

Sufferers from these types of diseases and ailments, through the use of BOTOX®, can dramatically improve their range of motion and overall lifestyle. For example, Ryan Gilchrist, who had long suffered from cerebral palsy was unable to walk until he was 13 years old. For this reason, he was excluded from many school activities, had to use a wheelchair, and required extra time and assistance to move from class to class. Even at home, where many accommodations had been made to make his life easier, Ryan still needed someone to cook, clean and generally look after him. Ryan's main problem was his legs and the fact that he couldn't walk, something many able-bodied people take for granted.

As Ryan moved into puberty and began to grow, his condition didn't improve. With this increased growth came other problems. His muscles grew tight and he became the victim of more muscle spasms than ever before. This, however, was before he discovered BOTOX®.

Ryan began treatment with BOTOX® at the advice of the doctor who recommended BOTOX® injections in Ryan's legs. Ryan's doctor had treated other cerebral palsy sufferers who did not have the full range of motion in their legs. This form of treatment had proved effective for other patients that Ryan's doctor had treated, So, after agreeing to the procedure, Ryan's doctor began BOTOX® injections in his legs.

Ryan's doctor was able to isolate the muscles in Ryan's legs that he wished to treat such as his hamstrings and calves. With these injections, Ryan's leg muscles no longer contracted involuntarily. Instead, these muscles were allowed to relax. BOTOX® worked on Ryan's leg muscles by blocking the passage of acetylcholine across the nerve endings in the muscles. Since acetylcholine is the chemical primarily responsible for "telling" the muscles to contract, when it was blocked, the muscles did not contract. It took only a couple of weeks before Ryan was able to physically perceive the results of the BOTOX® injections in his legs. After only one month, he was able to walk unassisted and using a walker. Ryan was overjoyed. This increased freedom of movement also amounted to an increased freedom in his life overall.

Ryan is still undergoing BOTOX® treatment but has, with time, been able to reduce the amount of BOTOX® needed to achieve the same results. His legs have become "used to" the BOTOX® and the muscles remain relaxed for longer and longer. Ryan is but one example of the successful use of BOTOX® injections for treating muscle spasms in people's legs.

In terms of the cosmetic aspect of BOTOX® injections in one's legs, it is only a matter of time before this becomes common practice. BOTOX® has been approved by the American Food and Drug Administration for use in treating wrinkles on the face and neck. Doctors, however, have been using BOTOX® injections for many other "off-label" purposes.

It's an unfortunate but undeniable fact that as we age, our body becomes more and more prone to the effects of gravity. Our skin also tends to lose its natural firmness and elasticity. For these reasons, our skin begins to sag and become wrinkled and generally unsightly. Despite this being but a part of the natural aging process, many people pursue many medical and herbal remedies to reduce the effects of aging on the body.

BOTOX® injections in the legs can also have a positive outcome for those whose legs have begun to show their age. Rather than hiding your legs in pants and being hesitant to wear shorts, skirts, or a bathing suit, why not capitalize on BOTOX®'s ability to improve your legs' appearance?

In the same way BOTOX® can be used to treat muscle spasms for patients such as Ryan, it can be used to treat wrinkles, stretch marks, and sagging too. Injected into the muscles of the legs, BOTOX® relaxes the muscles so that they don't contract to the extent that they once would have. The skin that overlays these muscles will, therefore, also be allowed to relax. With this relaxation comes increased smoothness and tautness. The skin will then assume a more youthful appearance. There's no reason why you shouldn't live life to the fullest and give your legs the attention that they deserve.