Trigger Point Injections for Muscle Pain

Muscle pain is one of the most common and often ongoing complaints of people seeking pain treatment. A large percentage of muscle pain is due to clusters of muscle fibers that have become tight and ropey due to injury, overuse, stress or anxiety. These knots can cause points of intense muscle pain known as “trigger points”. Chronic trigger point pain is known as chronic myofascial pain syndrome¹. The word myofascial refers to the muscles and surrounding fascia.

Trigger points can lead to decreased range of motion and persistent pain that negatively impacts a person’s quality of life. While massage and techniques like the Spray and Stretch can temporarily relieve trigger point pain, other treatment modalities are often needed for greater or longer lasting pain relief. One treatment option that shows a high effectiveness in treating trigger point pain is trigger point injection.

What Causes Trigger Points to Form in Muscles?

Myofascial trigger points can form after repeated stress on a muscle. 

When a muscle is contracted repeatedly or often undergoes long periods of tension, a knot of muscle fibers can form within the muscle tissue. These knots are painful to the touch and can often cause pain to radiate into areas surrounding the affected muscle (referred pain). 

Trigger points often form in muscles that are repeatedly contracted or tensed. Jobs that require repetitive movements can increase a worker’s likelihood of developing a trigger point on a muscle. People who experience high levels of stress or anxiety may also develop trigger points. 

Individuals with chronic myofascial trigger points may be diagnosed with chronic myofascial pain syndrome. This condition causes ongoing and worsening discomfort due to myofascial trigger points. Acute myofascial pain syndrome may resolve on its own or with simple treatment.

What is a Trigger Point Injection?

Trigger point injection or TPI is a minimally invasive procedure that can treat painful muscle trigger points. TPI injects a mixture of local anesthetic and a steroid into a painful area of muscle. This combination of medication causes a tensed muscle to relax. It can also reduce pain-causing muscle inflammation.

Trigger point injection is an outpatient procedure that does not require sedation. Many patients with multiple trigger points receive multiple injections in one appointment. There is no downtime, and most patients experience pain relief and increased range of motion immediately or soon after the procedure.

Trigger Point Injections: Possible Side Effects

Trigger point injection carries few risks or side effects. Complications are very rare, and most patients with trigger point pain experience positive outcomes from the procedure.

Rarely, patients receiving trigger point injections experience pain or bleeding at the injection site. A miniscule number of patients may develop infection at the injection site. 

Allergic reaction is a rare complication of trigger point injections. Make certain that you communicate all known allergies to your pain specialist before your TPI procedure. 

Conditions Treated With Trigger Point Injections

Trigger Point Injections with Pain Treatment Centers of America

Are you suffering from acute or chronic pain with trigger points? Pain Treatment Centers of America specializes in trigger point injection therapy to relieve muscle caused by trigger points. 

Contact PTCOA today to learn more about treatments or to schedule an appointment.