Trigger Point Injections Specialist

What are trigger points?

Trigger points are knots that form in muscle fibers. If you have them, you can feel the knotted area under your skin. These knotted fibers in your muscles irritate nerves, causing a radiating pain that spreads outward from the trigger point.

Mild trigger points often respond to massage and physical therapies. But when they become a severe, disabling problem, you may need a course of trigger point injections from the team at Robert B. Lanter, DO.

What are trigger point injections?

Trigger point injections contain a combination of a corticosteroid that reduces inflammation in the knotted muscle fibers and a local anesthetic that gives you temporary relief from musculoskeletal pain. Painful areas are injected with medications such as lidocaine, Sarapin, Traumeel, or different steroidal preparations, and, when indicated, platelet-rich plasma.

Trigger point injections aren’t just helpful for knotted muscles. They can relieve the pain of fibromyalgia, myofascial pain syndrome, and chronic tension headaches. They are also suitable for treating other pain conditions affecting the back, neck, and joints.

Trigger point injections may be performed in conjunction with acupuncture, osteopathic manipulative therapy, as well as different exercises and stretching. Physical therapy may also be prescribed as needed.

What happens when I receive trigger point injections?

The team has considerable experience administering trigger point injections, which they perform in the office. Each trigger point injection session takes just a few minutes. Your provider uses a fine-gauge needle to perform the injection, so any discomfort is kept to a minimum. They may also use ultrasound guidance for added precision. 

The number of trigger point injections you have per session depends on how many trigger points you have and how severe your symptoms are. If you’re concerned about needles or you have very sensitive skin, you can use topical numbing cream on the injection site before your treatment.

Once the trigger point injection is over, it helps to put pressure on the muscles to encourage them to relax. You may experience a little soreness where you had your trigger point injections, but this shouldn’t last more than a couple of days. 

After your session, you can carry on with your day. There’s no need for downtime, although it’s best to avoid anything too energetic at first.

How soon do trigger point injections take effect?

As soon as your provider gives you the injection, your trigger point pain should decrease because of the effect of the anesthetic. The anti-inflammatory steroids in the trigger point injection work over a longer period, reducing pain even when the anesthetic wears off.

The effects of trigger point injections can last for hours, days, or weeks, depending on your response to the medication. To maintain the reduction in pain levels, you may need to see the team again for further trigger point injections. The team also offers hyaluronic acid injections for knee-related joint pain. 

If you have muscle or joint pain, trigger point injections are a valuable form of treatment. Call the offices of Robert B. Lanter, DO, to find out more or request an appointment online today.