Trigger Point Injections (TPIs)
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Trigger Point Injections (TPIs)
Trigger points are tight knots in muscles, causing pain and limited movement. Trigger point injections relieve tension and reduce inflammation, through anesthetic and steroid injection.
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Trigger points are knots in your muscles that cause pain. The trigger points develop when your muscles are unable to relax. Muscle spasms (twitches) or a feeling of tightness may result from trigger points. They are extremely touch-sensitive, so you will experience pain when pressure is applied to a trigger point. Additionally, the target zone—the regions surrounding the trigger point—may experience discomfort. Many patients often search for "trigger point injections near me" when looking for treatment.
What is the definition of a trigger point?
A trigger point is sometimes referred to as a myofascial trigger point, as it is an uncomfortable nodule found inside a taut band of fascia, connective tissue surrounding your muscles. It appears as a hardened mass or knot in the soft tissue when touched. It is frequently painful upon pressing or during specific body movements.
Trigger points are frequently identified in the muscles of the buttocks, upper back, lower back, back of the shoulder, and neck.
Causes of trigger points:
There are two potential causes of trigger points: overusing a muscle or not using a muscle enough. A trigger point is frequently caused by an underlying problem in the bones or joints beneath the muscle, such as the shoulder or spine, which irritates the myofascial tissue.
The underlying problem may be:
• An injury.
• Discomfort resulting from routine activities.
• Wrong body mechanics (the manner in which you move).
What are trigger point injections (TPIs)?
The trigger point injections are administered to alleviate a trigger point in the muscle. They are pain-relief injections that are administered in any region of the body that is electrically connected to the muscle under tension.
How do trigger point injections work?
• Trigger point injections typically contain a numbing agent, which is a local anesthetic (lidocaine), a small dosage of corticosteroid, or a combination of both.
• The local anesthetics induce numbness, while corticosteroids reduce inflammation and swelling. Cortisone's anti-inflammatory properties relax tense muscle tissue that generates trigger points.
• The immediate pain alleviation provided by lidocaine can be extended by cortisone, which addresses the underlying inflammation.
• However, Dr. Abraham decides whether steroids are necessary. For instance, he may avoid injecting cortisone if the patient has previously experienced steroid intolerance or has recently taken other steroids.
• Dr. Abraham injects a small quantity of numbing agent into the trigger point to alleviate the pain. Additionally, inserting the needle into the muscle may facilitate the breakup of the knot, which relieves muscle spasms and tightening sensations. The trigger point injections benefits enhance your overall well-being and ease physical activity and exercise.
Who is an appropriate candidate for trigger point injections?
• In contrast to many other pain-relieving injections, trigger point injections are not extremely deep. As a result, anyone who is experiencing pain in multiple muscle groups may be a candidate for trigger point injections.
o Trigger point injections for back pain.
o Trigger point injections for shoulder pain.
o Trigger point injections for muscle spasms.
o Trigger point injections for fibromyalgia.
o Trigger point injections for migraines.
• Trigger point injections and physical therapy can be combined when a patient is undergoing physical therapy, but is experiencing difficulty with a particular range of motion or stretching exercise. A trigger point injection can alleviate the tension, enabling the patient to progress and fully benefit from physical therapy.
• In most cases, insurance will pay the trigger point injections cost, unless they are performed too frequently, which is not advised, as it indicates an underlying problem that has not yet been resolved.
The trigger point injections procedure:
1. Dr. Abraham will identify your trigger point by feeling the region that causes pain.
2. After identifying the trigger point, the medical team of New England Advanced Spine and Pain Center will clean and mark the area on your skin where the injection will be administered.
3. Dr. Abraham will administer a small quantity of numbing medication to the trigger point. He ensures the proper technique to minimize risks. Concerns like can trigger point injections cause nerve damage are addressed by careful injection into the muscle tissue only, avoiding nerves.
4. Your medical team may massage the injection site to facilitate the medication's entry into the intended location.
Trigger point injections recovery time:
• Dr. Abraham may recommend specific treatments to alleviate the pain following your injection.
• You are advised to avoid using heating pads or warm compresses for 24 hours following your injection. Heat may induce bleeding at the injection site.
• Dr. Abraham may also recommend utilizing an assistive device to facilitate your movements and to avoid overexerting the muscles near the trigger points.
• After your injection, it is important to allow the trigger point area to rest for 1 to 2 days. Refrain from engaging in activities that may induce strain, such as prolonged standing, high-intensity exercises, and lifting heavy objects.
• If you find cold or ice packets useful, you can apply them for ten minutes. You should not leave them longer, as this may result in tissue injury in the area. Repeat every 4 to 6 hours.
How long do trigger point injections last?
The level of pain alleviation after the trigger point injection varies according to the situation. The pain relief could persist indefinitely if the trigger point injection is administered to address the proper health condition, and the patient can undergo chiropractor trigger point injections to address the bothersome muscle group. Although the injection's medication may only be effective for a few days, it is sufficient to restore the patient to the proper healing path.
What are the trigger point injections side effects?
Occasionally, lidocaine may induce a brief period of dizziness in patients who are receiving multiple injections concurrently.
If a steroid is used, certain adverse effects may occur, such as insomnia, mild facial flushing or redness, or jitters. Additionally, diabetic patients may experience elevated blood glucose levels. These adverse effects are not exclusive to trigger point injections and may occur with any form of steroid.
For patients wondering are trigger point injections safe, researches show that when performed by a qualified provider, as Dr. Abraham, board-certified anesthesiologist and pain management specialist, complications are rare.
If you are struggling with persistent muscle pain or tight knots, expert care can make all the difference. Dr. Abraham, the best doctor for trigger point injections, affords personalized treatment that relieves pain, restores mobility, and improves your quality of life.