Do you suffer from muscle pain that gets worse upon touch? You are likely a candidate for trigger point injections. As a very effective treatment for pain relief, the injection may provide immediate relief.
Trigger Point Injections
A trigger point is a tight band or knot in the muscle. The knot forms when the muscle cannot relax and causes the muscle to twitch involuntarily. This irritates the nerves causing a referred pain. Referred pain is pain that is felt in a part of the body that may be away from the source of the pain. These injections are used for patients dealing with chronic headaches, fibromyalgia or myofascial syndrome.
The doctor will inject a numbing medicine and/or corticosteroid into the trigger point to alleviate pain. Though few side effects are common the patient may experience twitching or mild pain as well as a bruise.
Other Ailments Treated With these Injections Are:
Chronic tension headache
Myofascial pain disorders
Tension in back, arms, legs and neck
Fibromyalgia
What is in the Injection?
There are many effective ingredients in trigger point injections. They include:
Lidocaine
Bupivacaine
Cortisone
A mix of anesthetics
About The Procedure
Typically these points are in the upper back and shoulders, though they can also occur in the lower back and extremities. Patients find that painful spasms make everyday activities difficult, and trigger point treatment is a useful option for pain relief. Many times these will allow you to continue with a physical therapy schedule.
How Long Do These Last?
Though every patient reacts differently, you can expect the effect of the injection to lasts from days to weeks. Discomfort after your injection can be treated with heat, cold compress, and over the counter, anti-inflammatory medications.
You can have injections on an as-needed basis, or regularly. Your doctor will decide a pain management schedule based on what medications are being used and your level of discomfort. These injections can put you on the road to recovery and get back to your regular routine.