What is a Trigger Point Injection?

A Trigger Point Injection is an outpatient procedure designed to reduce or relieve the pain caused by trigger points. A Trigger Point is a hyperirritable spot, a palpable nodule in the taut bands of the skeletal muscles or fascia. Trigger Points can be active and latent. Active Trigger Points cause pain while the body moves while latent painful only when compressed. Trigger Points reduce flexibility, range of motion, and can refer pain to the other body areas. The damage to muscle and connective tissue, which results in Trigger Points, can occur in several ways:

• Repetitive overuse from typing, gardening, home improvement projects, work environments
• Sustained loading as with heavy lifting, carrying babies, briefcases, or boxes
• Habitually poor posture due to sedentary lifestyles and poorly designed furniture
• Muscle clenching and tensing due to mental/emotional stress.
• Direct injury such as a blow, strain, break, twist or tear
• Trigger points can even develop due to inactivities such as prolonged bed rest or sitting

What happens during a Trigger Point Injection procedure?

Trigger Point Injection (TPI) is a procedure used to treat painful muscle areas that contain trigger points, or knots of muscle that form when muscles do not relax. In the TPI procedure, a health care professional inserts a small needle into the patient's trigger point. The injection contains a local anesthetic or saline and may include a corticosteroid. With the injection, the trigger point is made inactive, and the pain is alleviated. Usually, a brief course of treatment will result in sustained relief. Injections typically take just a few minutes. Several sites may be injected in one visit. 

If a patient has an allergy to a certain drug, a dry-needle technique (involving no medications) can be used. During dry needling, a practitioner inserts several filiform needles into a trigger point area. Filiform needles are fine, short, stainless steel needles that do not inject fluid into the body.

When to use a Trigger Point Injection?

TPI treats many muscle groups, especially those in the arms, legs, lower back, and neck. Also, TPI can be used to treat fibromyalgia and tension headaches. The technique alleviates myofascial pain syndrome (chronic pain involving tissue surrounding the muscle) that does not respond to other treatments. 

At Manhattan Wellness Group, we have the best therapists on board to help you with pain. Our synergetic approach includes a variety of different modalities to promote healthy body healing. In combination with TPI, we can use massage therapy, physical therapy, acupuncture, and chiropractic care. We accept most of the insurances, call now, and make an appointment.