Overview
Trigger Point Injections is a procedure used to treat painful areas in a muscle.
The procedure is carried out in the doctor’s office in just a few minutes. In the procedure, a small needle is inserted into the patient’s trigger point. The injection contains a local anesthetic or saline, and may include a corticosteroid. The trigger point is made inactive and the pain is alleviated. A course of treatment will help to alleviate the pain long term. Learn more about the benefits of trigger point injections Arizona based interventional pain specialist Dr. Ahdev Kuppusamy offers in the video below. Schedule an appointment today!
What Is a Trigger Point Injection?
A trigger point injection is a treatment method for people who have myofascial pain in their neck, arms, shoulders, legs and their lower back. Trigger points is a term used to describe “knots” within the muscles that are usually incredibly sensitive to any kind of touch or pressure. Trigger points can occur from an injury or overusing the muscles. Having a poor posture or doing repetitive motions can also cause trigger points to appear.
What Are the Benefits of Trigger Point Injections?
Trigger point injections come with a variety of benefits. The most notable benefit is the pain relief; people who suffer from trigger points often deal with chronic pain. By receiving a trigger point injection, those who suffer from pain caused by torn muscles, poor posture or even a poor diet can feel relief.
The next benefit of having a trigger point injection is that it is a low-risk treatment. Though there are obviously a few risks to be aware of, it is very rare to see a side effect from this kind of injection. More often than not, you will experience a little bit of soreness and discomfort where the injection was placed. However, it typically subsides within a couple of hours after the treatment.
Another amazing benefit of trigger point injections is that you can combine it with other treatment methods. For example, in addition to receiving a trigger point injection, you can also do physical therapy to improve your posture.
Who Are the Best Candidates for Trigger Point Injections?
Like most treatments, there are certain factors that make people ideal candidates for trigger point injections.
You may be a candidate for trigger point injections if you meet one or more of the following requirements:
- You have ongoing muscle pain.
- Your muscles feel overwhelmingly tight.
- You have consistent tension headaches.
- You deal with fibromyalgia pain that has not improved with other treatments.
There are certain situations and conditions that may prevent you from getting a trigger point injection: These include:
- You have a hemorrhagic syndrome.
- You use an anticoagulant.
- You have an allergy to local anesthetics.
- There is a chance of psychiatric disturbance.
