Patients dealing with chronic pain that has not been able to see noticeable improvements through at-home care and physical therapy may be the perfect candidate for trigger point injections. Next time you visit your local pain management clinic, ask about this advanced form of treatment that can keep you from enduring too much pain. Below we have our guide to trigger point therapy injections.
Guide to Trigger Point Therapy Injections
Below, our OC pain specialists will offer a short guide to trigger point therapy injections to help you learn more about this special procedure to help relieve your symptoms of pain in the long run.
How Trigger Point Therapy Injections Work
Trigger point therapy injections work to relieve pain in specific areas of your body by injecting a combination of medical substances right into the center of the pain. These centers of pain we call trigger points, which often create knots of tension and roughness along your muscles. Therefore, trigger point therapy seeks to release this tension and relieve pain by injecting anesthetics and other medications into the sore spots.
Trigger points can develop all throughout the body, but a number of common areas include the jaw, neck, upper and lower back, shoulders, and head. If left untreated, these trigger points can push down on parts of the nervous system responsible for pain and movement, causing undue discomfort that may only get worse over time.
During the Procedure: What to Expect
During your trigger point injection procedure, you will be given a list of instructions that you should follow leading up to your treatment day. You may be asked to stop taking certain medications or eating food on the day of the appointment. Depending on the area of the body where you are going to have your injections, you will either lay down or sit up when you arrive at the doctor’s office.
Your doctor will locate the trigger point and prepare to inject it by squeezing it on both sides. This keeps the trigger point stable so the injection can find its way to the right spot. Unfortunately, this may be a bit painful, but it will be over very quickly. Your doctor will begin injections, which might cause your muscle to spasm or twitch every so often.
Over time, your muscle will become more relaxed and you will feel the source of pain start to go away. An anesthetic will numb the area while a cocktail of other medications, often including a corticosteroid, will encourage faster healing and relaxation. Once the procedure wraps up, you can go home right away.
Risks and Benefits of Trigger Point Injections
Trigger point injections prove typically safe and effective procedures that should not have any lingering side effects. Many medical procedures carry a risk of bleeding, bruising, infection, or allergic reaction. It is important to speak with your doctor about certain risks you may be worried about so the proper precautions can be made.
Most patients who visit our pain clinic find that the benefits of trigger point injections far outweigh the risks. People who have been dealing with pain for so long and have not found a way to relieve that pain can enjoy finally experiencing a break from their constant burdens. Furthermore, these injections can also improve functionality and a range of motion when the pain is no longer an obstacle. This is a safe, minimally-invasive procedure designed to bring immediate pain relief to those who need it most.
Sign Up for Treatment Today
There are too many benefits of trigger point injections for pain management to list here. It is important to schedule a personal consultation with our pain specialists so you can design a treatment that suits your exact needs. The key to relieving pain is to address the specific areas that are causing your chronic discomfort. Injections will provide instant relief and continued healing on the path to recovery. Get in touch with us today to learn more.
