Trigger Point Injections

A TP is an area of hyperactive muscle or muscle spasm. A TP can be caused by an acute injury, such as a car accident or work injury, or due to a chronic overuse injury, such as poor posture or repetitive motions. TPs can refer pain to other areas of the body and mimic pinched nerves.

The anesthetic, or numbing medicine, is injected into the muscle to numb it and the needle is then used to mechanically deactivate the TP. Areas of the body that are painful due to muscle tightness or spasm – low back pain, neck pain, etc. – commonly can be lessened or relieved with TPIs. Many times, pinched nerves are misdiagnosed TPs, caused from injured muscles

TPIs are usually at least somewhat effective after 1-3 injections. Depending on the severity of the injury and/or problem, TPIs may need to be given periodically to achieve ongoing relief. Sometimes if the trigger point is severe, a steroid may be added to your injection, but this is not done on a regular basis. TPIs are most effective when combined with physical therapy in order to strengthen the muscle once the TP has resolved.

Risks include, but are not limited to: reaction to the medication, damage to local tendons or ligaments, post-injection soreness and temporary weakness/numbness in an area remote from the injection, infection, bleeding, bruising and pneumothorax. If steroids are used, side effects related to this medication could also occur. Please talk with your doctor if you have any concerns about these risks. In general, TPIs are tolerated very well.