Trigger point injections are a safe and effective way to relieve pain for those who have been experiencing pain associated with trigger points and have not found relief with more conservative treatments, such as over-the-counter pain relievers or physical therapy. The risk of complications associated with these injections is very low, and the most common side effects are numbness or pain at the site of the injection. These side effects usually resolve within a few days. Trigger point injections can be a safe treatment for chronic pain conditions, such as myofascial pain syndrome, fibromyalgia, tension headaches, and migraine disorders.
The injection contains a mix of medications that help the muscle relax and reduce inflammation. During the procedure, the doctor will insert a small needle into a myofascial trigger point and inject the medication. The injection can offer immediate pain relief and better range of motion for people with chronic muscle pain. In some cases, a trigger point can even cause pain in another area of the body when it affects a nearby nerve; this is called referred pain.
In myofascial pain syndrome, trigger points stimulate pain responses in apparently unrelated parts of the body. Trigger point injections use a variety of medications to relieve muscle pain, depending on the intensity of the pain, symptoms, and the best possible response to treatment. If you are receiving physical therapy, trigger point injections have been shown to improve the overall performance and efficiency of these programs. The risk of adverse effects from these injections is very low, but rare complications such as bleeding, allergies, infections and nerve damage can occur due to clinical errors or adverse reactions from these injections.
Multiple injections at a time may cause mild dizziness for several hours. Trigger point injections cause temporary pain for a day or two.