Trigger Point Injections Specialist in Flowood, MS

Myofascial pain is treated with trigger point injections by healthcare providers. “Myo” refers to muscles, and “fascial” refers to the fascia. Fascia is the thin, white connective tissue that surrounds every muscle in your body.

A trigger point is usually responsible for the pain and tenderness associated with myofascial pain. A trigger point in your muscle feels like a small bump, nodule, or knot to the touch.

There are certain types of pain or issues that can be caused by trigger points. Tension headaches may result from trigger points in your trapezius muscle, for instance. Piriformis syndrome occurs when the piriformis muscle presses on the sciatic nerve due to a trigger point in the piriformis muscle. You may experience pain or numbness in your buttocks and down your legs.

You may be sitting or lying down on an exam table depending on where the trigger point is located. In the affected area, an alcohol pad will be applied by your healthcare provider to cleanse your skin. The trigger point may be marked with a skin marker by your provider. The provider will pinch the trigger point between their fingers once they have identified it by feeling it. There may be some discomfort associated with the pinching of the trigger point. The needle will be repeatedly inserted and retracted without removing the needle completely from the muscle or your skin after it is inserted into the trigger point.

There’s a good chance that you will feel a spasm or twitch in your muscles. As soon as the muscle twitches stop or they feel sufficiently relaxed, the motion will be repeated in multiple directions. The area will then be injected with a local anesthetic that may include a corticosteroid or botulinum toxin.

When more conservative treatment methods, such as over-the-counter pain medications or physical therapy, don’t provide relief from trigger point pain, trigger point injections can provide pain relief.

A trigger point injection may also improve muscle functionality and range of motion, depending on which muscle is affected.

Your trigger point pain may benefit from a trigger point injection if other treatments have not helped, such as over-the-counter pain medication, heat therapy, massage therapy, myofascial release, and physical therapy.

To relieve the pain, trigger point injections are typically used in conjunction with physical therapy and stretching exercises.

In the case of people experiencing intense pain, a trigger point injection can be particularly beneficial for reducing pain. Injections of trigger points can enhance the effectiveness of physical therapy.

Performing a thorough physical exam and ruling out other possible causes of your pain is required before your healthcare provider can recommend a trigger point injection.

Trigger point injections don’t require any preparation. Before getting the procedure, however, you should speak with your provider about your current medications, symptoms, and overall health.

Injecting trigger points manually will likely cause you some pain, as trigger points are typically painful to the touch.

Your provider may insert the needle and medication and you may feel stinging or burning. Your pain may temporarily increase when the tip of the needle touches the trigger point. Despite being uncomfortable, this pain indicates that the needle is in the correct place.

Trigger point injections allow you to go home and actively use the affected muscle. You should, however, avoid strenuous activity for a few days following a trigger injection. Any additional necessary precautions will be discussed between you and your physician following the injection.

Trigger point injections are available at Jackson Pain Center. We are conveniently located at 1 Layfair Drive, Suite 400 Flowood, MS 39232. Contact us for more information. We serve patients from Flowood MS, Jackson MS, Pearl MS, Richland MS, Ridgeland MS, Langford MS, Brandon MS, and surrounding areas.