You may experience persistent muscle pain that persists despite the use of prescription or over-the-counter pain medications. Muscle pain can limit limb and neck movement, cause back pain, and cause chronic headaches. These types of pain can be inconvenient and completely disrupt your daily life and routine.
The pain could be caused by muscle construction, resulting in the formation of a trigger point. To manage or recover from the pain, you may need to see a neurologist. Trigger Point Injections, or TPIs, are one treatment option for such pain. Continue reading to learn about trigger point injections, when to get one, and where to get the best trigger point injection care in Brooklyn, NY.
What is a Trigger Point Injection?
Trigger point injections are a type of pain management procedure that is used to treat myofascial pain. Myofascial comprises two words: “myo,” which means muscle, and “fascial,” which means the thin white connective tissue that wraps around the surface of muscles. Myofascial pain is caused by muscles that become stuck in a predetermined position, forming a trigger point. Trigger points can cause pain in the neck, shoulders, head, arms, and legs.
Trigger Point Injections are performed by injecting a local anesthetic into the injection site. Non-injection procedures such as massage therapy or physical therapy can also be used to treat myofascial pain.
When to Go For Trigger Point Injection
Your personal doctor would recommend TPIs only when they have reason to believe that your myofascial pain is not related to any of the following causes:
- Muscle strain
- Spinal column issues
- Radiculopathy – pain from a pinched nerve
- Structural causes of pain
Before referring you to a neurologist, your doctor will perform tests to rule out the possibilities listed above. A neurologist will then go over your medical history, make a diagnosis, and recommend a treatment plan, which may include a Trigger Point Injection.
What Does Trigger Point Injection Treat?
To relieve myofascial trigger point pain, trigger point injections work best when combined with physical therapy. The following conditions are treated with trigger point injections:
Myofascial pain syndrome
Myofascial pain syndrome is a condition that affects muscle fibers and the tissues that surround them. It can cause pain in seemingly unrelated parts of the body, a phenomenon known as “referred pain.”
Injury or acute trauma to the affected muscle, poor posture, repetitive action, and psychological stress are all common causes of myofascial trigger points. Myofascial pain worsens when the muscle moves, resulting in a restricted range of motion. It can also cause muscle stiffness and painful knots that are palpable. Massage can assist in the release of myofascial trigger points, but chronic muscle pain necessitates the assistance of a healthcare provider.
Fibromyalgia
This is a condition affecting the soft tissues. In contrast to myofascial pain syndrome, which causes localized muscle pain at specific trigger points, fibromyalgia causes widespread or systematic pain at numerous tender points throughout the body. Fibromyalgia pain manifests itself in a variety of tender points, including the upper chest, inner elbows, top of the shoulders, front side of the neck, upper buttock, back of the head, hips, and above the knees.
Fibromyalgia symptoms include widespread pain and stiffness, digestive issues, numbness, poor sleep, daytime fatigue, depression, anxiety, and difficulty concentrating. While the exact causes of fibromyalgia are unknown, some risk factors include physical and psychological disorders, a fibromyalgia family history, infections, being female, and a history of autoimmune disorders.
Headaches
Migraine and tension headaches can be exacerbated by trigger points on the head, shoulders, and neck. The levator scapula, SCM, upper trapezius muscle, temporalis, suboccipital, and Splenius cap are all common headache trigger points.
Are Trigger Point Injections Effective?
Chronic pain can be relieved quickly with trigger point injections. However, different people react differently to trigger point injections. While some people experience chronic pain relief immediately after a trigger point injection, others must wait days or weeks. Nonetheless, trigger point injections are rarely effective in people predisposed to trigger points, such as those deficient in Vitamin B12.
Trigger-point therapy is the best and most effective option when over-the-counter and prescription medications fail to relieve chronic muscle pain. After a trigger point injection procedure, it is possible to quickly restore or improve muscular movement and functionality.
Side Effects and Risks of Trigger Point Injection Therapy
Touching to stabilize the affected muscle for injection is a common trigger point injection procedure. This procedure can be extremely painful and unpleasant. When the doctor inserts the small needle into the affected muscle tissues, you may feel a burning sensation. The pain is normal and necessary because it indicates that the injection has reached the intended site.
You may experience discomfort or swelling around the injection site following your trigger point injection. The neurologist will prescribe anti-inflammatories and pain relievers. Temporary numbness or pain at the injection site is also common and can be relieved with acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
In extremely rare cases, the injection site may become infected. If this occurs, anti-infection medication may be of assistance. An allergic reaction to injection medication, such as Botox, is another rare but possible occurrence. In general, trigger point injections are very safe and effective pain relief treatments. Infections or allergies to the treatment are extremely rare, aside from the pain and discomfort caused by the injection.
Looking for the Best Trigger Point Injection Care in Brooklyn, NY? Call (347) 602-9530 for Trigger Point Pain Relief
Finding the best trigger point injection care specialists is a difficult task, especially if you cannot pinpoint the source of your pain. We have highly qualified pain management specialists at the Neurodiagnostics Medical P.C. in Brooklyn who can help you with long-term pain relief on muscle fibers using trigger point injections until every muscle feels adequately relaxed.
Our doctors accept most plans, including workers’ compensation, PIP, and no-fault insurance.
Our pain specialists diagnose, treat, and develop preventive neurological care plans to ensure that your chronic pain conditions do not interfere with your work or daily routine. Call us today at (347) 602-9530 to schedule an appointment if you want to find out what is causing your trigger points and successfully treat the underlying condition.
