Overview
Trigger points are tight, tender knots in muscle that can cause local pain or pain that refers to other areas. They are common in the neck, shoulders and back.
GSMC is led by Dr. Dharam Mann, who completed fellowships in pain management, cardiac anesthesia and critical care at Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard.
A trigger point injection places a small amount of numbing medicine, sometimes with a steroid, directly into the trigger point to relax the muscle and reduce pain. It is usually combined with stretching and physical therapy.
Watch: how Trigger Point Injections works
Video: “What Is a Trigger Point Injection?” from West Valley Medical Center on YouTube. It loads from youtube-nocookie.com only when you press play. Shown for general education; GSMC did not produce it. Watch on YouTube
How it works
After cleaning the skin, the clinician inserts a fine needle into the trigger point and injects medication. Several points may be treated at one visit.
Who it may be for
- Myofascial pain with identifiable trigger points
- Muscle pain that limits participation in therapy
- Patients who prefer an office-based option
Your exam and imaging decide whether this treatment is appropriate for you.
What to expect
- Before: an exam to locate trigger points.
- During: a quick office procedure lasting a few minutes.
- After: gentle stretching as instructed.
Recovery
You can usually return to normal activity right away. Mild soreness for a day or two is common. Your instructions may differ.
Risks and side effects
Every procedure has risks. Your physician will review them with you, including:
- Soreness
- Bruising
- Infection (rare)
- Lung puncture with chest wall injections (rare)
Insurance and cost
Many plans, including Medicare, may cover this treatment when criteria are met. We verify benefits before scheduling. See accepted insurance.
Frequently asked questions
How quickly do trigger point injections work?
Some people notice relief right away from the numbing medicine. Others notice changes over several days.
How often can I have them?
Your clinician will advise. They are usually combined with therapy.
Do they treat fibromyalgia?
They do not treat fibromyalgia itself, but they can target specific painful muscles.
This page is general patient education and does not replace advice from your own clinician. Individual results vary.