Trigger Point Injection

Consider a trigger point injection if you have chronic neck, shoulder, arm, back, or leg pain. This minimally invasive procedure provides near-instant relief so you can return to your routine. At Minimally Invasive Medical Group, with offices in Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, and Irvine, California, the minimally invasive surgical team uses trigger point injections to relieve tight muscle knots (trigger points). Call the nearest Minimally Invasive Medical Group office to schedule a trigger point injection appointment, or book your visit online today. 

What is a trigger point injection?

A trigger point injection is an outpatient procedure that treats myofascial pain. Myofascial pain is a chronic condition that affects the muscles and fascia (a fibrous layer of connective tissue). It’s characterized by trigger points (tight muscle knots) that cause chronic pain and mobility issues. 

During treatment, your Minimally Invasive Medical Group provider injects pain medication and a local anesthetic into one or more trigger points. After the medication enters your body, it reduces inflammation, relieves pain, and restores mobility.

What types of pain can trigger point injections treat?

The Minimally Invasive Medical Group team uses trigger point injections to treat several types of chronic pain, including:

• Hip pain
• Neck pain
• Lower back pain
• Shoulder pain
• Jaw pain
• Headaches

Trigger points typically form in these parts of the body. Administering injections into the large muscles in these areas provides a safe and effective alternative to surgery.

What happens during a trigger point injection procedure?

A trigger point injection procedure takes 15-30 minutes on average.

When you arrive at the Minimally Invasive Medical Group office, your provider asks you to sit or lie down, depending on the location of your pain. Then, they clean and sterilize the skin near the treatment site and identify the trigger point (or trigger points) with a marker.

Next, your provider pinches the trigger point between their thumb and index finger. It’s normal to experience mild discomfort at this time. Then, they insert a needle into the trigger point, injecting a local anesthetic and pain medication into it.  

Your provider removes the needle and repeats the same steps several times, treating each trigger point accordingly. After each injection, your muscles may spasm or twitch. This isn’t anything to worry about and is part of the treatment process.

After administering the final trigger point injection, your provider sends you home.

What is recovery like after a trigger point injection?

Take the rest of the day off work after a trigger point injection (or injections). Get plenty of rest and avoid strenuous activity for at least 48 hours. It’s normal to experience mild swelling and bruising at each injection site. These symptoms should improve within a day or two, but if your symptoms continue or worsen, contact the Minimally Invasive Medical Group team.

Call the nearest Minimally Invasive Medical Group office to schedule a trigger point injection appointment, or book your visit online today.