What You Should Know About Trigger Joint Injections
After trauma, such as an injury or repetitive use causing overuse, you can develop tight muscle fibers in the muscles. The tight fibers or knots are sensitive and can easily cause pain upon touch or pressure. The knots are referred to as trigger points, which can cause significant pain and strain throughout the affected muscle. The pain can persist, which can impact your quality of life. Persistent trigger point pain is referred to as myofascial pain syndrome. Since the condition can affect our daily activities, it is essential that you seek medical assistance to alleviate the pain and regain better functionality. Trigger point injections San Diego are a go-to for patients looking to address myofascial pain syndrome. Here is a glance at what the trigger point injections entail.
Trigger point injections
The injections are a pain management strategy that uses local anesthesia and, at times, could include steroids. The injections help relax the tight muscles to offer pain relief. The treatment is essential since, besides the pain on touch/pressure, the tender spot, also explained as a bump under the skin, can cause pain in other areas if left unaddressed. This is because it can impact the nearby, leading to referred pain. Trigger point injections can be used anywhere, but mainly in the neck, legs, arms, and lower back since they are the areas that mostly develop the knots. The chronic pain could be due to factors such as:
- Muscle injury/overuse
- Poor posture
- Joint disorders
- Poor mechanics that lead to excessive muscle stress
Trigger point injections can also be used to treat health concerns like tension headaches and fibromyalgia.
The procedure
Trigger point injections do not necessitate any special treatment. Nonetheless, you should talk to your doctor, especially if you are on an active prescription or taking over-the-counter medication. The injection process is fast, spanning a few minutes. Depending on the pain area, your doctor may ask you to lie down or sit. They then feel over the area to pinpoint the trigger point to inject.
Trigger point injections do not pose considerable risks and complications. While uncommon, you may develop complications like bleeding or infection at the injection site. The common side effects of the injection include soreness and numbness, which should disappear within a few days.
After injection, you can resume your activities almost immediately. Nonetheless, it is recommendable that you avoid vigorous activity that uses the treated muscle for a few days. You will notice pain relief after 24-72 hours, which can last upwards of a month, mainly depending on the severity of the condition. You may need recurring injections for long-term relief. If the injections contain both anesthesia and steroids, the frequency can’t be high. This is because steroid medications put you at a high risk of developing tissue damage.
Have you tried pain medication, physical therapy, and other preservative measures with little or no success? You are not doomed; trigger point injections can help you realize the relief you need to manage the pain and improve your quality of life. Visit or call Gain Wellness Center today for more on trigger point injections and how they can help.
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