Trigger Point Injections for Muscle Knots

What is a trigger point?
A trigger point injection are used to treat painful areas in a muscle. A trigger point is a knot in the muscle that does not relax; it is very sensitive to touch and very tight. Common areas that have trigger points are the muscles in the upper and lower back and the neck.

How do the injections help?
The purpose of a trigger point injection is relieve pain and to get the muscle to relax. This is accomplished with a combination of lidocaine, marcaine and a natural occurring steroid called betamethasone. When the muscle relaxes, the blood flow increases and washes out the painful toxic metabolites that were building up. After is the muscle is relaxed the chiropractor and massage therapist can help heal you at a deeper level.

How is the injection preformed?
The provider will press on the painful areas and mark them with a marker. After your skin is cleaned off with alcohol they will insert a small needle, into the area previously marked, and inject the local anesthetic and the betamethasone.

What should I expect after my injection?
Some patients experience pain at the injection site. Ice the area for the next 24 hours (30 minute intervals), no heat. Patients have reported that they feel better in a day or two.

Contact us to ask any more questions that you may have on trigger point injections.