What are Trigger Points?
They are a sore spot in skeletal muscle that is associated with a hypersensitive nodule or “knot” in a tight band. The nodule is painful when you press on it and can lead to characteristic referred pain, referred tenderness, and movement pain. You can usually feel a firm small section of muscle under your fingers when you press. Considering that skeletal muscle makes up roughly 50% of your body weight, the odds of you having to deal with these issues in your life is pretty likely.
What are Trigger Point Injections?
These are injections that target the specific nodules of muscle tension in the body. They are done in similar fashion to acupuncture points to relieve muscle pains.
Why do we use Trigger Point Injections:
Muscles can become constantly contracted and flexed. They can be resistant to releasing or letting go. It’s that feeling of a “knot” in your muscles, or muscles that are sore from overuse. Using the manual therapy of injection helps to release these muscles.
How do trigger point injections work:
They work in a couple different ways:
What issues can benefit from Trigger Point Injections:
What outcomes can I expect with Trigger Point Injections:
How many treatments should I need:
What can I do to optimize my outcomes of Trigger Point Injections:
They are a sore spot in skeletal muscle that is associated with a hypersensitive nodule or “knot” in a tight band. The nodule is painful when you press on it and can lead to characteristic referred pain, referred tenderness, and movement pain. You can usually feel a firm small section of muscle under your fingers when you press. Considering that skeletal muscle makes up roughly 50% of your body weight, the odds of you having to deal with these issues in your life is pretty likely.
What are Trigger Point Injections?
These are injections that target the specific nodules of muscle tension in the body. They are done in similar fashion to acupuncture points to relieve muscle pains.
Why do we use Trigger Point Injections:
Muscles can become constantly contracted and flexed. They can be resistant to releasing or letting go. It’s that feeling of a “knot” in your muscles, or muscles that are sore from overuse. Using the manual therapy of injection helps to release these muscles.
How do trigger point injections work:
They work in a couple different ways:
- Muscle release. The physical insertion of the needle causes the muscle to release.
- Your muscles contain different stretch sensors that help detect various amounts of stretch.
- Resetting the nerves that control the muscle contraction via the anesthetic.
What issues can benefit from Trigger Point Injections:
- Head aches
- Migraines
- Neck pain
- Shoulder pain
- Upper back pain
- Low back pain
- Hip pain
- Knee pain
- Muscle pain/injury
- Muscle weakness
- Poor range of motion
- Tinnitus
What outcomes can I expect with Trigger Point Injections:
- Pain relief
- Muscle fiber release (feels like a muscle twitch)
- Muscle relaxation
How many treatments should I need:
- Some may require only one treatment as improvement is often felt within minutes to hours.
- On average most people need 2-6 treatments based on the severity of injury, location of injury and your body's ability to recover.
What can I do to optimize my outcomes of Trigger Point Injections:
- Focus on removing the root cause of what brought on the trigger points initially.
- Drink lots of water. This helps to hydrate the muscle tissues.
- Consider electrolytes. Sodium, magnesium, potassium, calcium are needed to maintain healthy contraction and relaxation of your muscles.
- Keep moving. Continue physical activity as your body tolerates. This is needed to improve mobility and decrease pain.