Trigger Point Injections is a procedure used to treat painful areas of muscle that contain trigger points, or knots of muscle that form when muscles do not relax. Many times, these knots can be felt under the skin. Trigger points may irritate the nerves around them and cause referred pain, or pain that is felt in another part of the body. Trigger Point Injections help to alleviate the pain associated with the knot. This treatment, when combined with myofascial release, Chiropractic care and a targeted strengthening program can lead to long term pain relief.
What are Trigger Points?
Trigger points are small, painful knots located in a taut band of skeletal muscle. They produce pain locally and in a referred pattern and often accompany chronic musculoskeletal disorders. An acute injury or over use may lead to the development of stress on muscle fibers and the formation of trigger points.
How does a Trigger Point Feel?
Patients may have regional, persistent pain resulting in a decreased range of motion in the affected muscles. These include muscles used to maintain body posture, such as those in the neck, back, shoulders, and pelvic girdle. Trigger points may also manifest as tension headache, tinnitus, temporomandibular joint pain, decreased range of motion in the legs, and low back pain.
How common are trigger points?
Myofascial pain and trigger points are very common — they occur in about 85% of people at some point in their life.
Many healthcare providers and pain providers diagnose and treat myofascial pain and trigger points regularly, which may include trigger point injections and/or other conservative care.
How common are trigger points?
Myofascial pain and trigger points are very common — they occur in about 85% of people at some point in their life.
Many healthcare providers and pain providers diagnose and treat myofascial pain and trigger points regularly, which may include trigger point injections and/or other conservative care.
What happens during a Trigger Point Injection?
You can expect the following during a trigger point injection procedure:
- Depending on the trigger point location, you may be sitting or laying down on an exam table.
- Your healthcare provider will cleanse your skin on the affected area with an alcohol pad.
- Once your provider has identified the trigger point by feeling it, they’ll pinch the point between their fingers and stabilize the tissue.
- They’ll insert a thin needle attached to a syringe into the trigger point and rhythmically continue needling the area by repeatedly inserting and retracting the needle without completely withdrawing the needle from the muscle or your skin.
- Your provider will then inject the area with a local anesthetic and the medicines.
- The procedure will be over and you’ll be able to go home.
Are you ready to schedule your trigger point injections?
Call us today or click the link below and choose “Medical Evaluation” to se if trigger point injections could benefit you.