Myofascial pain syndrome is a common painful muscle disorder characterized by myofascial trigger points. It is a chronic pain disorder, in which pressure on tender points in the muscles (trigger points) causes pain in the muscle and sometimes in parts of the body that seem unrelated. Trigger point injections are an effective treatment modality to inactivate trigger points and provide rapid relief from symptoms of myofascial pain syndrome. Trigger Point injections can be a safe treatment for chronic pain conditions, such as myofascial pain syndrome, fibromyalgia and tension headaches.
While the procedure may be temporarily painful, the injection can provide pain relief for about a month, if not longer. The most common side effect is mild discomfort around the injection site, which can be easily treated with Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Advil (ibuprofen). It may also be helpful to apply heat and ice to the affected area. This pain is normal and should go away on its own one week after the injection at the trigger point.
Trigger point injections are a common and generally safe way to treat myofascial pain caused by trigger points. Providers often use trigger point injections along with physical therapy and stretching exercises to relieve pain. If your muscle pain hasn't improved with other treatments, including pain relievers and physical therapy, you may be given an injection at the trigger point. In the most persistent cases where trigger points are frequently activated, botulinum toxin is used in these injections to break the cycle, often for a period of up to 3 to 6 months. Trigger point injections usually consist of injections of local anesthetic with or without corticosteroids, botulinum toxin, or without any injectable substance (dry needling).
People with more myofascial trigger points were more sensitive to pressure pain than those with fewer points. Trigger point injections can reduce localized muscle pain by relaxing the affected muscles, and researchers believe that the injections interrupt the nerve signaling pathways that cause the pain referred to. Trigger points in the shoulders, neck and head may contribute to migraine and tension headache disorders, according to the American Migraine Foundation. Trigger point injections can treat chronic muscle pain related to myofascial trigger points, which are bundles of very sensitive fibers in tight muscle bands. The findings suggest that myofascial trigger points influence the intensity of these types of headache. If you have a knot in your muscle that doesn't respond to conservative treatment, such as pain relievers, ask your doctor about trigger-point injections.
They can answer any questions you have. Latent trigger points are still tender when touched, but can be activated when a muscle is tense, fatigued, or injured. This strategy may be especially beneficial when an injection at the trigger point is initially used to reduce pain in people who are unable to perform physical therapy or stretching due to severe pain. If you have received an injection at the trigger point and have signs of infection, such as fever or heat at the site of the injection, contact your healthcare provider. Trigger point injections can help relieve pain caused by conditions affecting the musculoskeletal and nervous systems.
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