What Are Trigger Points?
Trigger points, often referred to simply as ‘knots’, are areas of muscle dysfunction commonly found in the upper back, shoulder, lower back, and neck regions.
Trigger point injections are a treatment method aimed at providing pain relief by deactivating trigger points in muscles. This procedure involves injecting agents such as ropivacaine, lidocaine, and procaine directly into and around the trigger point.
Who Can Benefit?
Trigger points are commonly associated with chronic pain disorders, low back pain, neck pain, fibromyalgia, myofascial pain syndrome, headaches, and extremity deformities. Repetitive motion, minor injuries, or acute traumatic events can lead to the development of trigger points.
Ideal candidates for trigger point injections include those experiencing chronic muscle tightness or tension headaches who have not responded to traditional treatments like massage or stretching.
Common target areas for trigger point injections include:
- Upper back muscles (trapezius)
- Buttock muscles (gluteus maximus/medius)
- Deep hip muscles (piriformis)
- Lower back muscles (lumbar erectors)
- Mid-back muscles (thoracic erectors)
- Deep spinal muscles (multifidi)
- Calf muscles (gastrocnemius/soleus)
- Chest muscles (pectoralis major/minor)
- Shoulder muscles (rotator cuff)
- Neck muscles (splenius and semispinalis)
How Does It Work?
The trigger point injection involves a precise injection of a particular agent, including local anesthetic and saline, directly into and around the trigger point.
The selection of an agent depends on various factors such as the patient's medical history, the location and type of trigger point, and any allergies or sensitivities the patient may have.
Trigger point injections can help provide pain relief by inactivating the trigger point and thereby reducing pain. The injection accomplishes this by relaxing the muscle, reducing inflammation and desensitizing the nerves.
Treatment Process
During the procedure, trigger points are identified using palpation and ultrasound guidance techniques, along with patient history and presentation information.
The injection process takes less than 15 minutes to complete, and patients are provided with aftercare instructions post-treatment.
Clients typically undergo 1-3 treatments spaced 2 weeks apart. Maintenance injections are recommended every 1-2 months to effectively manage chronic muscle tension.
At Active Solutions Health + Sport, Dr. Adam Godkin specializes in performing trigger point injections at our First Avenue location.
We recommend stretching the involved muscle group prior to your appointment.
Post-Injection Care
After receiving trigger point injections, patients may experience tenderness in the injected area.
To alleviate discomfort, patients can apply ice or heat to the affected area. If necessary, acetaminophen or NSAIDs (such as Advil) can be taken for pain management.
It is advisable to remain active after the procedure to encourage the affected muscle's full range of motion but avoid strenuous activities for the first 3-4 days post-injection.
While side effects are rare, they may include infection or bleeding.
Treatment Expectations
Patients can typically expect to experience improvement in their symptoms within a few days to a week following the treatment. The duration of pain relief varies from individual to individual, but can last anywhere from a few weeks to several months.
The effectiveness and longevity of the treatment depend on factors such as the underlying condition, the number of trigger points treated, the patient's overall health, and adherence to post-treatment care recommendations.
Get Started
Struggling with chronic pain or myofascial pain syndrome? Say goodbye to discomfort and hello to a better quality of life with trigger point injections.