What is a trigger point?
A trigger point is a highly sensitive bundle of muscle fibers that feels like a small knot. Trigger points are sore, and they can be incredibly painful when touched or rubbed.
You can develop trigger points when you're injured, when you overwork your muscles, or when you constantly clench your muscles due to stress or anxiety.
Certain factors, including repetitive movements and hunched or slouching posture, could increase the risk of developing trigger points. Joint problems, like those that happen when you have arthritis, may contribute to trigger points.
What are trigger point injections?
Trigger point injections are pain-relieving injections that force your overly tight muscle knots to relax. If you have specific areas of pain in your back, neck, arms, legs, or other areas, this type of injection can give you enormous relief.
A trigger point injection includes an anesthetic and a steroid medication. It works by reducing inflammation and numbing the sore area within your muscle. This forces the trigger point to relax, which means your pain abates.
What can I expect during a trigger point injection?
At TruWell Health, you either sit or lie flat on a treatment table. Your treatment specialist carefully palpates your skin just above the painful area to identify the ideal spot for injection.
Then, they use a fine needle to deliver the trigger point injection. Depending on your areas of pain, your specialist may administer multiple trigger point injections in a single visit.
What can I expect after trigger point injections?
After your trigger point injection, you may have short-term swelling and discomfort. You can use over-the-counter pain relievers recommended by your specialist, as well as ice packs, when you get home.
Your pain starts to ease as the anesthetic and corticosteroid take effect on your muscle fibers. Over the coming weeks, you'll notice the muscle bump smoothing out. Many patients experience significant pain relief with trigger point injections.
If you're not having any luck with your current pain relief plan, trigger point injections could help. Call the office or click on the online appointment scheduler to book your trigger point injection consultation.
