What Are the Uses and Benefits of Trigger Point Injections?

When tight, painful knots (trigger points) form in the muscles, many patients rely on trigger point injections to treat them. During a trigger point injection, the doctor injects the impacted areas with an anesthetic/corticosteroid solution.

What Causes Trigger Points?

Trigger points often form when a muscle is in constant or near-constant use. Trauma or another source of muscle injury could lead to trigger points if the tissue does not have adequate time to heal before it endures more damage.

Trigger Point Symptoms

Trigger point symptoms often vary depending on the underlying cause, but you may want to ask your doctor about trigger points if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Knots form in your muscles
• Reduced range of motion in affected muscles
• Knots cause pain in the damaged muscle
• Knots send pain to another region of your body

Trigger point discomfort usually affects the damaged muscles, but accurately identifying where the knot has formed isn’t always easy. Pain resulting from a trigger point may also manifest in a part of the body that one would not generally associate with muscle knots. Patients may notice a constant ache for some trigger points, but the pain’s intensity will typically vary. In some cases, a patient afflicted with trigger points may not experience any pain unless pressure is applied.

What Are the Uses of Trigger Point Injections?

Headache Relief

Headaches will often affect one’s life in many ways, such as causing anxiety or depression if the sufferer is constantly on edge, anticipating the next attack. Headaches can also severely impact someone’s productivity and, consequently, their capacity to maintain a job or perform everyday responsibilities like cooking and cleaning or hobbies like reading and writing. Trigger point injections are sometimes used for treating tension headaches, migraines, cluster headaches or even headaches caused by a temporomandibular joint disorder.

Muscle Pain Relief

Severe muscle pain often impacts physical performance in a multitude of ways. Mobility problems are a significant consequence of muscle pain that forces numerous sufferers to lead less active or sedentary lifestyles. If one struggles to walk, exercise or perform daily tasks, their physical well-being may gradually decline without medical intervention.

What Are the Benefits of Trigger Point Injections?

Trigger Point Injections Are Quick

When someone experiences chronic pain, they typically want fast relief. Doctors usually administer trigger point injections in a matter of minutes. The procedure delivers near immediate relief for patients with muscle knots, unlike a massage, dry needling or physical therapy, which typically require repeat visits.

Trigger Point Injections Are Minimally Invasive

Trigger point injections are minimally invasive in comparison to major surgeries. Any discomfort from the needle is inconsequential in comparison to trigger point pain.

What Are the Risks of Trigger Point Injections?

Most medical procedures have some risks, but the risks involved with trigger point injections are minor. Some patients bleed a little or experience numbness after the injection, but these side effects quickly subside.

Are Trigger Points Dangerous?

Trigger points are painful but are not inherently dangerous on their own. They may be problematic if they cause chronic pain that interferes with a patient’s ability to function. Trigger points may also be a symptom of a more serious underlying condition that will require proper diagnoses and treatment.

Contact Non-Surgical Orthopaedics for Trigger Point Injections in Georgia

Are you experiencing chronic, debilitating trigger point pain? You may find relief with trigger point injections. The Non-Surgical Orthopaedics team believes pain should not control anybody’s life. If you are wondering if trigger point injections are the solution for you, contact us by calling 770-421-1420 to schedule an appointment at our Marietta or Carrollton offices.

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