A trigger point is a small knotted muscle that causes a surprisingly large amount of pain and tenderness. The team at Louisiana Pain Specialists can quickly ease your pain and relax the muscle with a trigger point injection. If you need relief from trigger point pain, call one of the offices in Kenner, Metairie, Laplace, Baton Rouge, Marrero, and New Orleans, Louisiana, or schedule an appointment online today.
A trigger point occurs when a small area of muscle begins to spasm, then forms a hard nodule. You can also develop a trigger point in the fascia, the connective tissues surrounding your muscles.
Though trigger points can affect any muscle in your body, they often occur in the neck and upper back.
A trigger point injection is a procedure using a needle to insert medication directly into the nodule. Your injection contains a local anesthetic and may also include an anti-inflammatory drug.
Louisiana Pain Specialists frequently use trigger point injections to treat:
The injection quickly relaxes the muscle knot and eases the pain in trigger points throughout your body.
Trigger points appear due to:
Trigger points often occur when you overuse your muscles but may appear if you don’t get enough exercise.
Trigger points are tender and very painful when touched. Many patients experience pain that radiates from the trigger point to other parts of their body when pressing on the knot. Pushing on the nodule often causes other muscles to twitch.
Trigger points in the muscles that move your shoulders, neck, and head often cause headaches or migraines. When a trigger point turns into a chronic problem, you have a condition called myofascial pain syndrome.
After a clinical staff member answers your questions and you sign a consent form, you lie on the treatment table, and your provider sterilizes the injection site.
Depending on the location of the trigger point, your provider may use ultrasound to visualize the needle. Then they insert the needle into the trigger point and inject the medication.
A trigger point injection takes about 5-10 minutes; then, after receiving discharge instructions, you go home. However, you will need an adult to drive you.
Most patients have minimal discomfort at the injection site, and that improves within 24 hours. In the meantime, you can use pain medicine, ice, and rest to reduce the pain.
If you develop a painful trigger point, call Louisiana Pain Specialists or book an appointment online today.
