Trigger Point Injections (TPI) are a procedure used to treat painful areas of the muscle that contain activation points or muscle knots. These knots can form after acute trauma or from repetitive microtrauma, which causes tension in the muscle fibers. TPI can be an effective option for relieving myofascial pain, especially in the neck, shoulders, arms, legs and lower back. Trigger points can irritate the nerves that surround them and cause referred pain or pain that is felt elsewhere in the body.
Trigger point injections can be a safe treatment for chronic pain conditions, such as myofascial pain syndrome, fibromyalgia and tension headaches. The treatment method is very popular among patients with pain due to a myofascial problem, spasms related to a pinched nerve, and fibromyalgia associated with muscle problems. In the TPI procedure, a healthcare professional inserts a small needle into the patient's activation point. The needle contains a mix of medications that help the muscle relax and reduce inflammation.
Trigger point injections can guarantee up to 90 percent neck pain relief when using Botox and 75 percent relief for pelvic pain. Trigger points appear in muscles due to traumatic tissue injury, an underlying structural problem, spinal abnormalities, whiplash injury, degenerative disorders, viral syndrome, postural problems, and overuse of muscles. Trigger points in the shoulders, neck and head may contribute to migraine and tension headache disorders. Treating pain at the trigger point is one of the most effective ways to remedy these problems. If you are receiving physical therapy, trigger point injections have been shown to improve the overall performance and efficiency of these programs.
Trigger point injections may provide immediate pain relief for some people, while others may not respond to treatment. Side effects associated with trigger point injections are extremely rare. However, anesthetic-based trigger point injections can cause a serious form of muscle damage called myonecrosis. For more information on trigger point injections or to schedule an appointment with a pain management specialist, contact National Spine & Pain Centers today.