Traptox – BOTOX® for Relaxing the Trapezius Muscle

Regardless of whether you follow social media trends, you may have heard the term Traptox being thrown around. Even if you haven’t, chances are you are already familiar with this method. Despite being popularized recently, this technique has been used in clinics for quite some time now.

Nevertheless, this new buzzword that has appeared on TikTok recently has prompted a number of people to seek out this procedure. It has also been dubbed Barbie Botox due to its cosmetic use for achieving the appearance of an elongated neck and slimmer shoulders. To help you stay on top of trends, we have prepared an article that encompasses everything you should know about Traptox.

What is Traptox?

If we try to unpack the term Traptox, we can observe that it is a blend of two words, trapezius, and BOTOX®, which gives us a clue regarding its meaning. The trapezius muscle is composed of three distinct parts: descending (upper), transverse (middle), and ascending (lower) part. This muscle is found in the neck and upper back region of the human body.

The Traptox technique involves injecting a botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) into the trapezius muscle. This neuromodulator of choice can be BOTOX^®, but also other brands such as DYSPORT^®, JEUVEAU^®, or XEOMIN^®. You may go back to our shop and check out our offer, which also includes these products.

What is Traptox Used For?

As a method of injecting a neurotoxin, Traptox has multiple uses. For one, it can help solve medical problems caused by the tension of the trapezius. This includes back pain, muscle tension, and spasms, as well as migraines.

However, this is not the sole reason to inject a neuromodulator into the trapezius. The recent popularity of Traptox came due to its ability to transform the appearance of one’s neck and shoulders. Those desiring to enhance their look without going under the knife are trying out this procedure.

How Does Traptox Work?

Neurotoxins like BOTOX^®, DYSPORT^®, JEUVEAU^®, and XEOMIN® are all injected in similar fashions and have similar effects. For Traptox to work, the injections need to be administered properly, into appropriate areas, and in adequate doses. The dosage can vary between 15 to 100 units per side, depending on the type of treatment and the thickness of the patient’s muscles.

BoNTs block [4] the communication between the nerves and the muscles. This temporarily hinders the muscles’ ability to contract. Therefore, the neuromodulator relaxes the overactive trap muscles, which leads to pain relief and improved posture. Furthermore, a neuromodulator injected into the area can decrease the muscle bulk, creating the illusion of a longer neck and slimmer shoulders.

Benefits of Traptox

This method of injecting neurotoxins is more than just a current TikTok trend. There is a reason Trap Botox has generated so much buzz. Over the years, it has demonstrated some significant benefits, which include:

·       Better posture

·       Pain relief

·       Reduced stiffness

·       Help with cervical dystonia (neck muscle spasms)

·       Body contouring

A study¹ that investigated the benefits of botulinum toxin type A for treating neck pain found that there were significant improvements starting at week three. Statistical difference was observed at week eight, when the neurotoxin group showed significantly more improvement in regards to placebo control group.

Lastly, the treatment is quick, carries significantly less risk than surgical procedures, and the effects can last 3-6 months.

Adverse Effects

As is the case with any other kind of treatment with injectable medication, some patients can experience side effects. These most commonly include redness, stiffness, and bruising at the injection sites. This type of adverse reactions typically resolves within one to two weeks. Since some patients can be allergic to some of the treatment ingredients, it is crucial to acquire this information during the initial consultation.

Additionaly, side effects can occur when the injection is accidentally administered outside the trapezius muscle. That is just one of the reasons why it is essential the botulinum toxin solution is injected by a licensed professional.

Excessive doses of BOTOX^® in traps sometimes may lead to discomfort when lifting objects due to weakened muscles. Traptox overuse can also sometimes lead to long-term loss of upper body strength. Furhtemore, it can cause antibodies to form, making future treatments ineffective.

Traptox Aftercare

As usual, your patients should be informed about Traptox treatment aftercare. They will typically be able to go back to their usual routine within a day or two. While there is no recovery period per se, some activities should be avoided to make sure the treatment is effective and without any additional side effects.

Patients should also be advised against rubbing or putting pressure to the injection site for one full day post-treatment, as this may cause the toxin to spread to unintended areas. All in all, patients can resume most of their day-to-day activities immediately after the procedure as long as they follow your aftercare instructions.

It is also advised to refrain from rubbing or putting pressure on the injection site for one full day post-treatment, as this may cause the product to spread to unintended areas. All in all, patients may resume most of their day-to-day activities immediately after the procedure as long as they follow the aftercare instructions.

Final Comment

Once again, social media has proven its power to push trends that may have been overlooked for a long time. With a new, trendy name, Traptox emerged as an exciting and innovative procedure, despite already being known within the medical community. Nevertheless, due to its recent popularity, it is more important than ever for clinics to be well-equipped to perform this procedure properly.

FAQs

What is the Traptox technique?

The Traptox technique, as the name implies, involves injecting a neurotoxin such as BOTOX®, DYSPORT®, or XEOMIN® into the trapezius muscle area. This procedure is especially well suited to treat medical problems symptoms, specifically neck and back pain as well as cervical dystonia. Alternatively, this same technique can be administered for cosmetic purposes, on patients aiming to acquire slimmer shoulders and/or a more elongated neck appearance.

Does trapezius BOTOX^® work?

Yes, BOTOX^® injected into the trapezius muscle has been shown to be beneficial and can vastly improve patients’ quality of life. 

How long does Traptox last?

The effects of Traptox typically last anywhere between three and six months. This can depend on the patient’s metabolism, the dose, the type of neurotoxin used, and other factors.

How much Botox needs to be injected for Traptox?

The amount of Botox that needs to be injected depends on a number of factors, including the goal of treatment and how developed the patient’s trapezium is. The recommended dose can be anywhere between 15 to 100 units on each side.

What are the downsides of Traptox?

Patients receiving BoNT injections into the trapezius muscle may experience swelling, bruising, redness, and tenderness around the injection site, as well as muscle weakness. However, these adverse reactions tend to be temporary, likely resolving after a week or two.

Furthermore, the long neck and sleek shoulders look are achieved by weakening the trapezius muscle. Therefore, people who opt for this procedure for aesthetic purposes may experience permanent side effects. While this may not happen after one or two treatments, patients who regularly do Traptox treatments run a risk of long-term strength loss.

‌References

1. Miller D, Richardson D, Eisa M, Bajwa RJ, Jabbari B. Botulinum Neurotoxin-A for Treatment of Refractory Neck Pain: A Randomized, Double-Blind Study. Pain Medicine. 2009;10(6):1012-1017. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1526-4637.2009.00658.x
2. Ourieff J, Scheckel B, Agarwal A. Anatomy, Back, Trapezius. StatPearls. 2018. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30085536/.
3. Yi K, Lee H, Choi Y, Lee K, Lee J, Kim H. Anatomical guide for botulinum neurotoxin injection: Application to cosmetic shoulder contouring, pain syndromes, and cervical dystonia. Clinical Anatomy. 2020;34(6):822-828. doi:https://doi.org/10.1002/ca.23690