What are trigger points?
Trigger points are small areas of contracted muscle tissue that cause significant tenderness and pain. You can have one trigger point or many, and the discomfort they generate can range from mildly uncomfortable to nearly unbearable.
Trigger points are also called myofascial trigger points. When you have multiple trigger points clustered in one area, the condition is called myofascial pain syndrome, or MPS.
Left on their own, the contracted muscle tissue within trigger points will not relax. Treatment is needed to help those tissues return to normal function and to relieve the pain that accompanies trigger points.
How can trigger points be treated?
Manual therapy is one option for treating trigger points. This approach uses hands-on pressure similar to a deep tissue massage to manipulate the knotted muscle tissue and help it to release and relax.
This approach can be uncomfortable, as the process involves placing pressure on already sensitive muscles and nerves. For some, however, manual therapy delivers almost immediate relief.
Dry needling is another option for treating trigger points. Similar to acupuncture, dry needling introduces thin treatment needles into contracted muscle tissue. This treatment can sometimes inactivate the trigger point and bring swift relief.
What are trigger point injections?
Trigger point injections are a popular treatment for areas of knotted muscle pain. They work by introducing a solution of corticosteroid medication and a local anesthetic directly into the painful tissue.
These injections reduce inflammation in the area and also deliver immediate pain relief. By the time the local anesthetic wears off, the contracted muscle tissue will often release and pain will be at far lower levels than when the injection began. The entire process takes just a few moments, and multiple trigger points can be treated during the same appointment.
Trigger point injections can relieve pain in your lower back, neck, arms, and legs. It is a great option for fibromyalgia as well as certain types of headaches.
If you have questions about trigger point injections, set up a time to meet with Dr. Piska and the Advanced Pain Specialists team. Online scheduling is available, or you are always welcome to call or stop by the office to check appointment availability.
