When patients experience pain in their muscles, a possible cause for this could be knots in a muscle that form when the muscle cannot relax. These knots are known as trigger points. These trigger points are known to irritate surrounding nerves which results in the pain that patients experience.
What Are Trigger Point Injections?
Trigger point injections, or TPI, is one option for treating the pain felt from trigger points. During the TPI procedure, a patient’s trigger point is located and then a small needle is inserted at that location. A local anesthetic is then injected into the area to help rid the trigger point and relieve pain.
Trigger point injections can be done as an outpatient procedure, normally only take a few minutes, and can be done at a few trigger points during one visit.
How Often Can You Get Trigger Point Injections?
Oftentimes, most trigger points are resolved after one visit. However, some patients may experience chronic trigger points and it may be recommended that those patients receive trigger point injections on a regular basis. The frequency will depend on the individual and what their doctor recommends.
What to Expect After Trigger Point Injections
Optimally, what one can expect after receiving trigger point injections is a relief from pain and the removal of the trigger point in the muscle. In rare cases, some patients may experience slight soreness or pain after receiving the injection. However, this usually subsides after a day or so.
If you are experiencing trigger points and would like more information about this procedure, please call us at 253-841-8939 or contact us here.
