Trigger Point Injections

What is a trigger point injection?

Muscle pain in your arms, legs, lower back, neck, and other parts of your body are occasionally caused by trigger points. Trigger points occur when skeletal muscles become inflamed, leading to muscle spasms and knots in the muscles that can be felt underneath the skin.

This occurs when muscles refuse to relax, leading to knots of muscle that irritate the surrounding nerves. When these nerves become irritated, this can lead to pain in the affected area or other areas around the body.

The trigger point injection is administered to relieve pain caused by these knots, as well as to treat other conditions such as fibromyalgia, myofascial pain syndrome, and tension headache. These are all chronic musculoskeletal disorders that are related to the body’s trigger points.

When would I need a trigger point injection?

If you have a musculoskeletal disorder such as tension headaches, fibromyalgia, or myofascial pain syndrome (chronic pain that is caused by the tissue that surrounds knotted muscle), a trigger point injection may be useful if other forms of treatment have been ineffective.

Trigger point injections are also recommended for long-lasting cases of chronic muscle pain in the neck, arms, legs, lower back, and other areas. This treatment works by injecting a small amount of steroid or anesthetic into the trigger point or muscle knot, thus leading to pain relief.

If you are experiencing chronic muscle pain around your body, and other forms of treatment such as physical therapy and pain medication have proven ineffective, then ask your doctor about a trigger point injection today.

Before the Procedure

While the trigger point injection is a simple, quick, and painless procedure, there are a few things that can be done to make sure your procedure is easier for you and your doctor.

It’s important that you discuss with your doctor your current medications; you may be asked to stop taking blood thinners like Coumadin a few days before the procedure. You should also prepare a list of all your medications, vitamins, and supplements, and bring them with you on the day of the procedure. Your doctor should also be aware of your complete medical history (including allergies), as well as any x-rays or MRIs you might already have.