Trigger points can form for many different reasons, including suffering from an acute trauma or repeatedly performing motions that lead to stress on the muscle fibers.

A trigger point injection is a clinically administered shot that helps to soothe focalized muscle pain and restore a greater range of motion in areas that have been affected by muscular issues. They may involve utilizing a local anesthetic but can also be used without injecting any type of foreign substance. Trigger point injections that don’t utilize muscle-relaxing substances is also sometimes referred to as dry needling.

Trigger point injections can be used to resolve the sensitive and painful “knots” that form in certain areas, the most common of which take place in the neck, shoulder, arms, legs, and lower back.

Trigger point injections help to relax muscles that are stuck in a state of contraction, helping to relieve and treat pain in certain areas of the body. This specific type of focalized discomfort is also commonly referred to as myofascial pain and can result in pain and numbness that affects your range of motion.

The most common areas that are treated with trigger point injections are the jaw, neck, hip, back, shoulders, and legs. However, they can effectively be utilized to target any muscle group where myofascial pain is occurring, as long as there are no coinciding medical conditions that may interfere.

Trigger point injections are a safe and effective treatment option for those experiencing myofascial (muscle) pain that is affecting their motility and quality of life. Trigger point injections are typically prescribed when/if milder forms of treatment, such as physical therapy, rest and icing, heat therapy, and over-the-counter medications, haven’t been effective in treating your muscle pain.

In addition to this, your healthcare provider must also rule out any coinciding medical conditions that could be causing your pain. This includes:

• Arthritis
• Herniated disk
• Muscle strain.
• Pinched serves.
• Spinal complications.
• Spinal stenosis.
• Structural issues.

Your doctor will typically recommend trigger point injections in addition to physical therapy and stretching exercises to help alleviate pain over the long term. Trigger point injections can be very beneficial in helping patients get the pain relief they need to start alternative forms of therapy and stretching that they may not have been able to physically participate in before.

Over 85% of people will experience some type of myofascial pain and/or trigger point issues at some point in their life. It is one of the most common conditions that doctors treat, and trigger point injections can be a very effective method of pain relief and treatment.

However, it’s important to note that trigger point injections aren’t typically prescribed on their own. They are usually paired with regular physical therapy sessions, stretching exercises, and at-home remedies such as icing, heat, and rest.

If you’re suffering from acute or chronic pain and don’t know where to turn for help, connect with us at MedSave Clinic. We offer a variety of treatment options, including trigger point injections, which can help restore mobility and functionality to your life. Contact us today for more information about our trigger point injection services or schedule an appointment online if you’re ready to get the ball rolling on treatment. We serve patients from Columbus OH, Clintonville OH, Northwest Columbus OH, Worthington OH, Orange OH, and Harlem OH