Botox, Dysport, or Restylane: Which Is Right for You?

Most people have heard of Botox and other facial injections but only have some vague idea of what they do. Botox, dermal fillers, and other injections can deliver natural-looking results when used correctly. But what’s the difference between the main players in the game—Botox, Dysport, and Restylane—and which one is the right option?

The Neurotoxins: Botox and Dysport 

The word "neurotoxin" may sound scary at first, but neurotoxins are simply a class of injectables designed to smooth wrinkles and fine lines by relaxing muscles in the face. These products are helpful to men and women seeking younger-looking skin, and Botox and Dysport are two of the most popular brands. Both products are made of a toxin called botulinum, and both prevent facial muscles from contracting. This weakens the facial muscles that cause those lines, preventing new wrinkles from forming and existing ones from deepening. Botox and Dysport target crow’s feet, frown lines between the eyebrows, and horizontal wrinkles above the eyebrows. Results typically last around three to four months.

The Dermal Filler: Restylane

Dermal fillers seek to smooth wrinkles and fine lines by adding volume to the skin, and Restylane is one of the most popular options. Restylane is made of Hyaluronic Acid (HA), which is found naturally in human collagen. Once injected, the HA “fills in” wrinkles and lines below the skin, adding volume and replacing collagen and fatty tissue lost during the aging process. These types of fillers are great for adding definition to the cheeks, chin, and jaw, and they can help smooth wrinkles and lines under the eyes and around the mouth. Restylane also has other lines of fillers that help select areas of the face. Restylane Silk can be used to enhance lips and areas of under the eyes that can develop that sunken look. Restylane Lyft is a great option for increasing volume to cheeks, and Restylane Define and Refine can help with deeper wrinkles and can enhance the jawline. Results usually last six months, depending on the patient.

The Bottom Line

There’s no “one size fits all” option when it comes to choosing an injectable, as the right option will depend on each patient’s desired outcomes. In general, Botox and Dysport relax facial muscles to smooth wrinkles, while Restylane achieves a youthful appearance by enhancing volume and definition. Each product can be used on different areas of the face for different—but natural-looking!—outcomes, so it’s up to each patient and his or her doctor to decide which option to use.

Jimenez Chiropractic Med-Spa can help patients find the right filler for their skin, and we also perform in-office Botox, Dysport, and Restylane injections. If you are ready to explore your options for younger, healthier looking skin, contact us or call (786) 294-0710 to schedule an appointment. Don't don't forget to ask about our specials!

Four Strategies for Soothing Sore Muscles After a Workout

To fully benefit from intense physical activity, there's still work to be done after finishing that cardio workout or strength training session. Massage therapy and other recovery strategies are critical for easing soreness, improving circulation, preventing injuries, and enhancing muscle strength and flexibility. Here are four key ways to soothe sore muscles and make the most out of recovery time after intense exercise.

Massage Therapy 

The most effective way to help muscles recover from exercise is to receive regular massage therapy from chiropractic and massage professionals. For regular exercisers, a massage is soothing and allows tired muscles to loosen and recover. A therapist can even identify and treat injuries before they worsen. Some of the best treatment options to soothe exercise-related soreness are deep tissue, hot stone, and sports massages. Deep tissue and sports massages are more intensive than a typical massage, and they allow quicker recovery and ease the pain from repetitive, intense workouts. By minimizing recovery time, this treatment enables exercisers to extend their capacity for training and fitness goals.

A Healthy Diet

It may not be immediately obvious, but diet and hydration also play major roles in post-exercise recovery. Foods with anti-inflammatory properties—think nuts, seeds, berries, leafy greens, and fish rich in healthy fats, like tuna and salmon—can reduce the soreness of muscles when added to a diet with the right amount of protein and carbohydrates.

Stretching

Everyone knows stretching is important before exercise but doing so afterward also helps to deter muscle soreness and potential trips to the chiropractor for injury treatment. Since tight muscles can't react to changes and stress as effectively, stretching to keep them loosened up and energized with healthy blood flow prepares them for intense physical activity and helps them recover after.

Foam Rolling

Popular with professional athletes, foam rolling can benefit anyone at any level of physical fitness. Rolling the body out along the specially designed cylindrical tool mimics the effects of some traditional massages, stretching out and improving the circulation in aching muscles. Foam rolling, especially when applied to larger muscles like the quads, hamstrings, and glutes, can also make deeper stretches and more flexible movements possible.

For recovery treatments from exercise and other intense physical activity, Jimenez Chiropractic Med-Spa offers a wide range of massage therapy, physical therapy, and rehabilitation treatments, as well as health and beauty services. To learn more about our treatments, fill out our online form or call (786) 294-0710.

Acupuncture: Does It Work, and Can It Help Tension Headaches?

Tension headaches are no joke, and sufferers typically look for every possible treatment until they find something that helps. Many patients who visit Jimenez Chiropractic Med-Spa seek an alternative, holistic approach for treating their tension headaches after trying medications and other Western medicine treatments that have proven unsuccessful. These patients and many others may benefit from the use of acupuncture to treat tension headaches, migraines, and other medical and chiropractic conditions.

What Is Acupuncture? 

Acupuncture has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for millennia, but it’s only recently become popular in Western medicine. According to Chinese medicine, qi (pronounced “chee”) is an energy that flows along pathways in the body, and when qi becomes blocked or unbalanced, the person can suffer physically. Tiny needles promote natural healing and balance of qi and are placed in specific points of the body depending on the affliction. These needles stimulate the body, and many patients experience relief from tension headaches, migraines, nausea, arthritis, and other conditions.

Acupuncture and Tension Headaches

Tension headaches can vary in location, intensity, frequency, and duration, but they’re not pleasant for any sufferer. Some people experience them for only a few hours, while others feel the pain for days or weeks at a time without relief. Of course, people suffering from this pain seek all possible treatment options to relieve symptoms when pain relievers, muscle relaxers, and other Western medications fail.

While no single treatment is right for every person, many patients have found that acupuncture reduced their symptoms and provided relief without the side effects of medications. Acupuncture works as a treatment option for tension headaches in the three following ways:

• It’s a natural pain reliever. As the needles penetrate the skin, the nervous system responds by releasing natural painkillers called endorphins and enkephalins, which help relieve pain from tension headaches.
• It’s a natural muscle relaxer. The nervous system triggers the brain to direct blood flow to the penetrated areas, decreasing the blood flow in the head and neck and naturally relaxing those muscles.
• It’s a natural stress reliever. Stress is a major trigger for tension headaches, and acupuncture can help relieve it. The needles trigger specific responses in the central and autonomic nervous systems, helping to bring the heart rate into a normal, healthy range, reducing the experience of stress. These responses also help the patient’s brain develop a better response to stress in the future, directly addressing one of the possible causes of their headaches.

To learn if acupuncture is the right treatment for your tension headaches, call Jimenez Chiropractic Med-Spa at (786) 294-0710 or fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment. Be sure to check out our specials page!