Trigger Point Injections

This is a therapeutic injection that is given to produce analgesic effect to extremely painful areas of the muscles that is classified as trigger point. A trigger point is an injured area in the muscle. It feels like a knot or a tight, stiff band of the affected muscle. The area is very tender to deep pressure or palpation. These trigger points can occur at any parts of the body but they mostly develop in the neck, shoulders and lower back.

A trigger point can cause irritation of surrounding nerves; producing referred pain. This type of pain is normally felt at another location that is in close proximity to the original location of the pain. Trigger points can be multiple and produce referred pains that occur in overlapping areas. The presence of trigger points can be a problem in the primary muscle as well as secondary to traumatic conditions such as surgery, scar tissue formation, and fibromyalgia.

Trigger point injections are administered at the doctor’s office. It is a very simple procedure and requires a physical examination of the patient to identify the trigger point. The skin is cleansed and a small needle is used to inject the medication into the trigger point. There is mild discomfort such as twitching or mild pain at the injection site for a few minutes. Multiple needle sticks can result is soreness but it is normally relieved by ice pack or massage. The injection site might be numb for approximately one hour. This normally respond well to ice pack, massage and muscle stretching for several days following the injection.