Trigger Point Injection
Trigger point injections deliver medication directly into these tense muscle areas to reduce inflammation, alleviate pain, and restore normal muscle function. TPIs can be especially helpful when other conservative treatments, such as stretching, massage, or physical therapy, are not providing lasting relief.
What Are Trigger Points?
Trigger points are hyperirritable spots within a taut band of skeletal muscle. When pressed, they often produce a characteristic “twitch response” or cause pain in a different area of the body. For example, a trigger point in the shoulder may refer pain to the neck or head. These points can contribute to conditions like:
- Tension headaches
- Myofascial pain syndrome
- Fibromyalgia
- Chronic neck, shoulder, or back pain
- Postural strain
- Repetitive strain injuries
Trigger points can also form following trauma or surgery and are frequently found in patients with sedentary lifestyles or poor ergonomic habits.
Conditions Treated with Trigger Point Injections
Trigger point injections are used to manage pain associated with:
- Myofascial pain syndrome – A chronic pain disorder caused by muscle tightness and trigger points
- Tension-type headaches – Often stemming from trigger points in the neck and shoulders
- Neck and upper back pain – Especially in people with poor posture or long hours at a desk
- Low back and gluteal pain – Commonly caused by tightness in the paraspinal or piriformis muscles
- Sports injuries – Overuse injuries can lead to persistent muscle knots
- Post-surgical muscle tightness – Scar tissue and immobilization can lead to painful trigger points
For more on these conditions, visit our Conditions Treated page.
How the Procedure Works
Trigger point injections are performed in-office and typically take just a few minutes per site. After identifying the affected muscle, your provider cleans the skin and uses a small needle to inject a solution directly into the trigger point. This solution may include:
- Local anesthetic (e.g., lidocaine) to numb the area and provide immediate relief
- Corticosteroid (optional) to reduce inflammation
- Saline or dry needling (needle without medication) to mechanically release the knot
The injection helps break the pain cycle, reduce muscle tension, and restore normal movement.
What to Expect After Treatment
Most patients experience immediate improvement in pain and mobility. It’s common to feel mild soreness at the injection site for a day or two—similar to post-workout muscle soreness. Applying heat and gentle stretching can help ease any temporary discomfort.
In many cases, a series of injections may be recommended for lasting relief, especially in patients with widespread muscle tightness or myofascial pain syndrome. TPIs are often combined with physical therapy, postural correction, or ergonomic adjustments to prevent the trigger points from returning.
Benefits of Trigger Point Injections
- Fast-acting relief from localized muscle pain
- Performed in-office with no downtime
- Can treat multiple sites in one visit
- Improves range of motion and muscle function
- Reduces reliance on oral pain medications
- Effective for acute and chronic conditions alike
Trigger point injections are an excellent option for patients seeking non-surgical, drug-sparing relief from chronic muscle pain that limits daily function.
Are Trigger Point Injections Right for You?
If you’re living with muscle tension, aching pain, or headaches that don’t respond to stretching, massage, or rest, you may be a candidate for trigger point injections. This simple and effective procedure is often the key to unlocking long-standing pain and stiffness that’s been holding you back.
Relieve Muscle Pain at Ascent Pain
At Ascent Pain, we take a comprehensive approach to diagnosing and treating pain. Our team has deep experience in identifying trigger points and using image-guided and palpation-based techniques to deliver precise, effective injections. Let us help you release the tension and get back to a more comfortable life.
Call Ascent Pain at (504) 249-7576 or request your appointment online to find out if trigger point injections are right for you.