A trigger point injection treats tight, tender knots in a muscle that can cause pain on their own or send pain to other areas, like the head, shoulder or arm. By injecting a small amount of medication directly into the knot, a trigger point injection may help the muscle relax and ease pain so you can move and stretch more comfortably.
A trigger point is a band of muscle that stays contracted instead of relaxing. You can often feel it as a firm, tender spot. Pressing on it may cause pain in a different area, called referred pain. A trigger point in the upper back, for example, may cause headaches or pain in the shoulder.
Trigger point injections usually contain a local anesthetic, sometimes combined with a small dose of steroid. The needle and the medication together may disrupt the knot and interrupt the pain cycle.
Trigger point injections are often part of a larger plan. Once the muscle relaxes, physical therapy and stretching can help keep the knot from coming back.Â
Your provider may consider trigger point injections for:
Chronic pain caused by multiple trigger points
from muscle tension or posture
Learn about Neck Pain
linked to trigger points in the neck and shoulders
Learn about Low Back Pain
Learn about Tailbone Pain
Learn about Hand and Wrist Pain
such as a car accident
Learn about Auto Accident
Trigger point injections may be an option if:
They may not be recommended if you have an infection over the area, a bleeding disorder or an allergy to the medication. Your provider will examine you to confirm that muscle trigger points are part of your pain.
Your provider examines the muscle to locate the trigger points and reviews your medications and allergies.
You’ll sit or lie in a comfortable position. After cleaning the skin, your provider inserts a thin needle into the trigger point and injects the medication. You may feel a brief twitch or cramp in the muscle, which is normal. Several trigger points can often be treated in one visit.
Most people go home right away and resume normal activities. Your provider may suggest gentle stretching and movement to help the muscle stay relaxed.
Some people notice relief soon after the injection, and for others it builds over several days. The area may feel sore for a day or two. Applying ice or heat as directed may help.
Relief can last from days to weeks or longer. When trigger points keep returning, your provider may recommend a series of injections combined with physical therapy, posture changes or other treatments. Acupuncture is another option some patients explore for muscle-related pain
Trigger point injections are generally considered low risk. Possible side effects include soreness, bruising and temporary numbness. Rare complications include infection, bleeding and, for injections near the chest wall, a collapsed lung. Your provider will review the risks that apply to the area being treated.
Contact our office if you develop fever, incrCall our office if soreness gets worse instead of better, or if you notice redness, warmth, swelling or a fever.
Seek emergency care right away if you have chest pain or shortness of breath, especially after an injection near the chest, upper back or shoulder, or if you have signs of a severe allergic reaction such as swelling of the face or throat.easing pain or new weakness after your injection.
Trigger point injections are covered by many insurance plans when medically necessary. We’ll help you check your benefits.
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Common signs include pain below the belt line on one side, pain when standing on one leg or climbing stairs, and pain that improves when lying down. Because these signs overlap with other problems, an exam and sometimes a diagnostic injection are needed to know for sure.
The skin is numbed first, so most people feel pressure and mild discomfort. Some soreness afterward is normal.
It varies widely. Some people have relief for several months and others for a shorter time. Your provider will follow your response.
Repeat injections may be an option if the first one helped, but steroids are limited in how often they can be given. Your provider will decide based on your response.
If muscle knots keep coming back, schedule an evaluation at our Rego Park office to see whether trigger point injections are right for you.