Trigger Point Injections

About This Treatment

Our doctors use trigger point injections to deliver anti-inflammatory medication into a tender muscle. Trigger point injections reduce pain so that patients can focus on rehabilitation. We may recommend these injections for patients dealing with:

• Herniated discs
• Muscle overexertion
• Osteoarthritis
• Postviral syndromes
• Scoliosis
• Whiplash

The injection typically contains a local anesthetic, corticosteroid, saline solution and dextrose.

• Local anesthetics increase blood flow in the muscle and rid it of inflammatory substances that build up when muscles go into spasm.
• Corticosteroids block inflammation. Inflammatory substances in the muscle produce pain by sensitizing nerve endings and receptors.
• The physical force of the fluid in the injection (saline and dextrose) helps to break up muscle spasm and adhesions.

What to expect from trigger point injections

Following a trigger point injection, you may feel some tenderness as the local anesthetic wears off (about one to three hours). You may also feel dizzy if multiple trigger points are injected with a large dose of local anesthetic.

It may take a few days for the anti-inflammatory action of the steroid to take effect. The corticosteroids remain in the tissue for about a month.

If trigger point injections are not effective in reducing your pain, other options are available:

• Medical management
• Nerve blocks
• Electrical stimulation techniques
• Intradiscal techniques
• Radiofrequency

What are trigger points?

Trigger points are tender muscles that send a pattern of pain to other areas of the body when touched. These tender points are usually felt as knots or bands that do not relax.

Trigger points can be localized to one area of the body such as the muscles that support the neck. They can also occur in multiple areas throughout the entire body.