Trigger Point Injections

Trigger point injections are simple, minimally invasive treatments used to relieve painful muscle knots (known as trigger points) that cause persistent muscle pain, stiffness, headaches or reduced movements of the upper or lower limbs. These trigger point discomfort or aches, commonly develop when muscles become overworked, injured or remain tense for prolonged periods.

Common conditions which can be treated include ;

• Neck and shoulder muscle pain
• Upper back and trapezius tightness
• Tension and cervicogenic headache
• Myofascial pain syndrome
• Low back muscle pain or ache
• Hip and buttock muscle pain or ache
• Sports-related muscle overuse injury

How Does the Trigger Point Injection Work?

A trigger point is a tight band of muscle fibres that remains contracted and can produce pain both locally and into other parts of the body. During the procedure, your Sports Physician will identify the painful muscle and inserts a small needle directly into the trigger point. The injection is usually performed under Ultrasound guidance to improve precision and avoid surrounding nerves and blood vessels, particularly in deeper muscles. Depending on your condition, the injection may contain either one or a combination of the following medications ;

• 5% Dextrose (known as Glucopuncture) – to promote relaxation of irritated nerves and muscles
• Local anaesthetic – to provide temporary pain relief

The goals of Trigger Point treatment are ;

• Reduce the pain or ache
• Improve the blood flow
• Relax the tight muscles in the affected area
• Restore normal movement
• Allow rehabilitation exercises to be more effective and less painful

What to expect before and after Trigger Point treatment

BEFORE treatment, wear comfortable or loose clothing that allows access to the painful or affected area. There is NO need to fast before coming and you should continue taking your regular medications unless advised otherwise.

AFTER treatment, you can go home the same day. There may be mild soreness for 1-2 days around the treatment area. AVOID heavy lifting or strenuous exercises for the first 24-48 hours. You can start ;

• Gentle exercises, movements or walking
• Prescribed stretching and strengthening exercises
• Maintaining good posture, adequate hydration, regular sleep, and stress management to reduce recurrence

Seek medical attention if you develop increasing redness, swelling, fever or severe pain after the procedure (these are uncommon side-effects).

Prognosis

Many patients experience improvement within a few days, while some notice relief immediately. The duration of benefit varies depending on the underlying cause of the muscle pain. Successful treatment focuses not only on relieving the muscle knot but also in correcting the factors that caused it. Remember, early treatment can reduce chronic pain, restore movement and help you return to work, exercise and sport sooner compared to long-standing conditions.

Consult your Sports Physician if you have any chronic muscle or joint aches / pains

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Disclaimer. TELEME blog posts contains general information about health conditions and treatments. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. The information is not advice and should not be treated as such. 

If you think you may be suffering from any medical condition, you should seek immediate medical attention from your doctor or other professional healthcare providers. You should never delay seeking medical advice, disregard medical advice, or discontinue medical treatment because of information on this website.