What Are Trigger Points?
Trigger points—not to be confused with tender points— are knots within the muscular fascia that can be felt when palpated or massaged. Palpating the area may also cause a twitch response in the muscle. Because of trigger points, patients may experience stiffness and decreased range of motion in addition to chronic pain.
Common conditions treated with trigger point injections are:
- Headaches
- Neck pain
- Groin pain
- Lower back pain
- Shoulder pain
What To Expect When Receiving Trigger Point Injections
A small needle and, sometimes, local anesthesia is used during trigger point injections. Any patient who frequently suffers from pain in the musculoskeletal system and consents to receive trigger point injections can expect specific steps from their procedure.
Before the Procedure
Your physician explains the treatment plan in detail. This is the time to mention other painful areas. You may notice a variety of tools have been set out like lidocaine, needles, a syringe, gloves, and a pulse oximeter. These tools are needed to perform the injection procedure and monitor your status.
During the Procedure
Your doctor will palpate your problem areas, clean the site, and make an injection directly to your trigger point. You may feel mild pain from the needle stick, but you will most likely feel relief from the pain you were initially experiencing.
After the Procedure
Your muscles are relaxed, and your pain is subdued. Your doctor may encourage you to activate or use your muscles. You may also feel tenderness at the injection site. Your physician will ask you to schedule a follow-up appointment.
Schedule a Consultation
If you are experiencing issues such as tension headaches, fibromyalgia, or chronic back pain, then don’t hesitate to schedule a consultation today. Contact the team at Summit Healthcare Pain Clinic to learn more about trigger point injections and your options for pain relief.
