Botox for posture? Why ‘TrapTox’ can help you sit up straighter
Most of us are familiar with the use of wrinkle-relaxing injections – neurotoxins like Botox, Alluzience, Azzalure or Bocouture – for facial treatments, such as smoothing of the forehead and softening of crow’s feet. But they are also approved for use in the prevention of excessive underarm sweating and migraines. Off-license, practitioners also employ neurotoxins to treat posture, something that’s becoming increasingly popular alongside videos documenting so-coined ‘TrapTox’ on TikTok.
The goal with injecting a product like Botox to help alleviate postural-related issues, Dr. Ashwin Soni – a GMC-registered plastic and reconstructive surgeon and founder of The Soni Clinic – tells us, “is to target specific muscles in the body allowing them to relax”. In the professional literature published on the use of neurotoxins for postural purposes, the most common muscle targeted is the trapezius muscle (also known as the ‘trap’). “This treatment is often referred to as ‘TrapTox’ or ‘Trap Botox’ on various social media platforms,” confirms Dr Soni.
But what exactly does the treatment involve?
What is ‘TrapTox’, and how is it used for posture?
To explain the procedure simply, “you treat the neck and the shoulder muscles, which in turn makes you stand up straighter as it becomes harder to remain slouching,” explains one of London's leading aesthetic doctors and founder of The Lovely Clinic, Dr. Sarah Tonks, adding that it can also lead to a longer looking neck and more defined shoulders. “It’s not a new treatment, but not many people are aware of it” she says, revealing that “it’s much more popular in Asia where it is sought for a shoulder-slimming effect”. Here, the emphasis seems to be on posture, though, and its improvement for both tension-related pain and appearance.
“Many of us are hunched over a computer for hours each day and are developing a worsening of posture alongside increasing neck and shoulder pain,” explains Dr Soni. Award-winning cosmetic doctor, Dr. Johanna Ward of the Cosmetic Skin Clinic, agrees, adding that our phones are a problem, too. “In the age of smartphones, we have a big issue with head and neck anatomy being strained, which is a problem for the future.”
Here, neurotoxin injections can help with both muscular tension and posture – but there comes a caveat, Dr. Soni feels. “For muscular tension treatment could potentially require at least two rounds of Botox [or a similar product], as there are no published guidelines about how much to inject into these muscle groups and how to distribute doses.” And when it comes to injecting for posture specifically, “you have to be careful who you seek treatment from, because in some of the large muscle groups – such as the trapezius – or the upper body and neck, you may require a very large amount in order to get the desired result.” This means treatment could also be costly given how much neurotoxin would be required across both sides of the body.
Who is ‘TrapTox’ suitable for?
“Someone with enlarged trapezius muscles, who slouches over a lot and gets pain from doing so,” says Dr. Tonks. While it can reverse these behaviours and the associated discomfort, know that it’s not a magic cure for them. “It can be uncomfortable as it kicks in,” she cautions, “and when you try to slouch but can’t”.
As always with medical procedures, “you would need to get assessed by a very experienced provider who knows the musculoskeletal system in depth, and who can discuss the advantages and disadvantages of treatment,” advises Dr. Soni.
What are the alternatives to ‘TrapTox’ for posture?
“Non-injectable methods that one could try would be to invest in a Pilates and conditioning coach in order to help with poor posture or work-related issues in posture,” offers Dr. Soni.
We also recommend visiting a 'performance clinic' – like London's Club Health – to holistically treat poor posture with a plan combining clinical Pilates, physiotherapy, massage and mobility therapies.
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