Trigger Point Injections (TPI) for Pain Management

What Are Trigger Point Injections?

Trigger points are small painful focal areas of muscle contractions, or “knots,” that are in spasm and do not relax. These trigger points sometimes can be felt under the skin and may irritate the surrounding nerve tissues causing referred pain to another part of the body.

Trigger point injections help treat chronic muscle pain and other conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system. Muscle pain can occur for a variety of reasons, ranging from mild to severe. It can happen while sleeping in the wrong position and tear large muscle groups during a heavy weightlifting session. Muscle pain usually goes away on its own after a few days of rest, but some types of pain can become chronic and thus require medical attention. Chronic muscle pain can significantly impact a person’s ability to function and carry out their daily responsibilities. TPIs aim at providing immediate relief to those suffering from such pain.

A trigger point injection treats myofascial trigger points, which cause chronic muscle pain. Myofascial trigger points are highly sensitive bundles of fibers in tight bands of muscle. When using an injectable medication, the effect is delivered directly to the myofascial trigger point. The severity and cause of the pain determine the type of medicine used.

Trigger point injections come in various forms, including local anesthetics, corticosteroids, and botulinum toxin A. (Botox). Local anesthetics block pain receptors in muscles, whereas corticosteroids reduce inflammation in muscles and the connective tissues surrounding a nerve. Botulinum toxin A (Botox) inhibits muscle contractions by interfering with nerve signaling pathways. Your doctor injects the medication through a small needle inserted into the myofascial trigger point. Those who have tense muscles may feel a crunching sensation as the doctor inserts the needle. This sensation usually goes away as soon as the muscle relaxes.

Which Conditions Can Trigger Point Injections Help With?

A trigger point injection can aid in the treatment of a variety of conditions, including:

Myofascial pain syndrome. Trigger point injections can help myofascial pain syndrome patients manage their pain better by stimulating responses in unrelated parts of the body that result in referred pain. The affected muscles are then relaxed while pain signaling is disrupted. Poor posture, psychological stress, repetitive motions or injury, and muscle trauma are all potential causes of myofascial trigger points.

Those suffering from myofascial pain may also experience pain in specific parts of a muscle, muscle stiffness or weakness, a limited range of motion, muscle knots that they can only feel by touch, or pain that becomes more intense when they stretch or move the affected muscle.

Fibromyalgia. This condition has symptoms similar to arthritis, but it affects the soft tissue rather than the joints. Although the cause of fibromyalgia is unknown, certain risk factors can contribute to it. These factors include a history of autoimmune disorders such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis, infections, physical or psychological trauma, being female, a family history of fibromyalgia, and others.

Some fibromyalgia symptoms include headaches, digestive problems, numbness in the hands and feet, tingling, difficulty concentrating, poor sleep, daytime fatigue, symptoms of depression or anxiety, and pain and stiffness throughout the body. Contrary to myofascial pain syndrome, which leads to localized muscle pain, fibromyalgia leads to widespread or systematic pain.

Headache. According to recent research, trigger point injections can also help patients suffering from headaches.

Trigger point injections do not have the same effect on everyone. Some people experience immediate pain relief after the injection, while others must wait several days or weeks before noticing a difference and improvement in their pain. In some cases, people do not benefit from TPI at all.

Some researchers are looking into how trigger point injections can help people who have abdominal muscle pain. The study’s participants detected a pain reduction in such cases, but only two years after their trigger point injection. Other participants experienced no significant change. Trigger point injections can provide various benefits, but there are many cases where the treatment has no effect.

Finding Trigger Point Injections Near Me

When looking for effective ways to ease discomfort in tight muscles that cause pain during activity or at rest, choose a team of experienced pain specialists offering trigger point injections near you to relax the muscle and reduce inflammation, providing welcome relief from the agony of both local and referred pain.

Trigger point injections are a wise and beneficial treatment for various chronic pain conditions, including fibromyalgia, myofascial pain syndrome, and tension-type headaches. Your doctor or another healthcare provider can administer the trigger point injection directly into the affected muscle. Trigger point injections work differently for each individual. Speak with your doctor about the benefits, risks, and complications of a trigger point injection, as well as whether it is the best option for you.

Page Updated on Jul 19, 2023 by Dr. Freeman (Pain Management Specialist) of Redefine Healthcare

Dr. Eric D. Freeman is a top-rated, best-in-class pain management doctor. He is a nationally recognized pain relief specialist and is among the top pain care doctors in New Jersey and the country. He is an award-winning expert and contributor to prominent media outlets.

Dr. Eric D. Freeman has been recognized for his thoughtful, thorough, modern approach to treating chronic pain. He has been named a “top pain management doctor in New Jersey” and one of “America’s Top Physicians” for advanced sports injury treatments.

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