Trigger Point Injection
TRIGGER POINT INJECTIONS
Back muscle spasms are an extremely common cause of acute and chronic neck and back pain. Muscles in the neck and back will often present themselves as “knots” and can be so uncomfortable that they restrict the range of motion. Trigger Point Injections help reduce the inflammation and irritation caused by these back muscle spasms.
Treatments
Treatments- A trigger point is a particularly sensitive area in the muscle tissue (myofascial) that becomes painful when pressed or squeezed.
- Trigger Point Injections are used to reduce or eliminate back spasms by loosening the knots built up in the muscle tissue that may be causing pain.
- By allowing the area to relax and release tension, Trigger Point Injections help stop the tearing and stretching of the tissue.
What to Expect
Once you have decided to have the trigger point procedure:
- Stop taking aspirin or anti-inflammatory medications at least three days before the injection.
The procedure usually takes about 30 minutes
- The trigger point injection is usually performed in the physician’s clinic.
- The skin in the area of the injection is cleaned.
- The skin may be numbed with a local anesthetic.
- A small needle is inserted into the muscle causing the spasm-related pain (a steroid is sometimes injected also).
- A local anesthetic is injected into the muscle.
- You will be able to leave the clinic after the injection.
- Soreness in the area of the injection may be experienced for 24 to 48 hours after the injection.
- Most patients are prescribed to participate in an active physical rehabilitation program after the injection.