Trigger Point Injections

Trigger point injections (TPI) offer a potential solution for managing pain in certain patients. This procedure targets specific areas of muscle known as trigger points, which are knots that develop when muscles fail to relax. These knots can often be felt beneath the skin.

Irritation of the nerves surrounding trigger points can result in referred pain, where the pain is felt in other areas of the body.

Procedure Overview

During a trigger point injection (TPI), a skilled healthcare professional inserts a small needle into the patient’s trigger point. The injection typically contains a local anesthetic or saline solution and may include a corticosteroid. By administering the injection, the trigger point is deactivated, providing relief from pain. Generally, a short series of treatments can lead to long-lasting pain reduction. TPI is performed in a doctor’s office and usually takes only a few minutes. Multiple trigger points may be injected during a single visit. In cases where a patient has an allergy to specific medications, a dry-needle technique without any medications can be used.

Common Applications

TPI is commonly employed to treat various muscle groups, with a particular focus on the arms, legs, lower back, and neck. It can also be an effective approach for managing fibromyalgia and tension headaches. Additionally, TPI is used to alleviate myofascial pain syndrome, a chronic pain condition involving the tissue surrounding muscles, that may not respond well to other treatment methods. Ongoing research is being conducted to further evaluate the effectiveness of TPI for myofascial pain.