What Are Trigger Point Injections?
Do you have a knot in your neck that’s giving you a hard time? In some cases, all it needs is a good muscle massage or a heating pad, and you’ll find that chronic pain going away in no time. This isn’t always the case, though. You might be in need of trigger point injections.
If you’ve tried other pain relief tactics and are still plagued by painful symptoms, you might need to take more necessary measures. These persistent knots in the muscle tissue could be a result of trigger points in your muscles, causing sharp myofascial pain.
Getting rid of these knots might seem difficult if you’re trying to massage or rub them away. Thankfully, that doesn’t mean they can’t be alleviated. That’s far from the case, actually!
Trigger point inoculations are scientifically proven to be an effective solution to some myofascial pain. However, you might not be familiar with the term or the procedure, but don’t worry! Advanced Pain Treatment has the right information and associates for your nerve pain needs.
How to Know If You Need Trigger Point Injections
The Trigger Point Inoculation Process
It’s essential to familiarize yourself with the entire trigger point injection process. This includes knowing what you should do to prepare for the injections, which could differ for each individual depending on the condition. There is no universally-accepted preparation for trigger point inoculations.
However, if you regularly take medication such as aspirin for a headache, you might need to avoid it beforehand. This is because aspirin and similar medications could affect the inflammation of the muscle knot. For the injection to be as effective as possible, it has to be in its natural, untreated state.
As for what will happen during the injection process, it is similar to most other injections you likely have gotten in the past. Once you get comfortable in the appropriate position (what this position is will depend on where the knot is located), an assistant will prepare the knotted area with an alcohol pad. A small dot will be put on the area with a pen or marker to pinpoint better where to inject the medication.
From there, the actual injection will begin. The injection administrator will pinch the affected area before slowly inserting the needle into the muscle. You will likely feel some slight twitching and discomfort from the penetration, as well as the sensation of the medication coursing into the knot. However, this won’t last long, as you’ll feel the removal of the needle just as quickly as you felt it break your skin.
The area likely won’t bleed, but in the event that it does, your provider will then cover the injection site with a bandaid. From there on out, congratulations! The trigger point inoculation procedure is complete.
How Long Do Trigger Point Inoculations Last?
Side Effects of Trigger Point Inoculations
Trigger point inoculations have been a key practice in pain relief for years, and many doctors and experts have agreed that they are effective. That doesn’t mean, however, that they don’t run the risk of complications. While these are rare, it’s important that you see a doctor immediately if you are experiencing any of the following:
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Vein injury
- Bruising
- Allergic reaction
Some of these, including a potential allergic reaction, can be spotted while you are in the care of Advanced Pain Treatment. Our team is highly trained in administering anesthetic trigger point injections, so if any of these side effects occur, you will be treated as swiftly as possible. However, if these occur while you are out of the office, give us a call, and we can see you at your earliest convenience.
Although rare, there are some reports of complications such as pneumothorax, especially when treating trigger points in the cervicothoracic region using a needling technique (Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
For trigger points along the thoracic cage, recommend the use of a pincer grip to bring the affected tissue away from the intercostal spaces. A tangential rather than vertical vector may also decrease the risk of entering the pleura (Source: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
Receive Trigger Point Injections With Advanced Pain Treatment
No matter why you need trigger point injections, you’ll be able to receive the highest quality care possible with Advanced Pain Solutions. Our unique approach to pain alleviation makes us the best specialists for the job.
With a free consultation, we can assist you in finding the best trigger point injection treatment for you. In the event that your pain needs another form of treatment, fear not! We’re also able to provide several other treatments, such as spinal cord stimulation and sacroiliac injections. No matter what you require, we will have the right solution to reduce your pain!
If you want to alleviate nerve or muscle pain, call us at (561) 501-6902 to schedule your free consultation. You can also fill out our confidential online form here. No matter how you reach out to us, we look forward to giving you the help you need to live your life with the right trigger point injections for you!
