Trigger Point Injections

What Are Trigger Points?

Trigger points are tight, irritated areas within muscle tissue that can cause localized pain, muscle stiffness, spasms, and referred pain to other parts of the body. These painful muscle knots may develop when muscles remain contracted or irritated for prolonged periods of time.

Trigger points commonly occur in the:

• Neck and shoulders
• Upper and mid-back
• Lower back
• Jaw and facial muscles
• Hips and gluteal muscles
• Arms and legs

Trigger point pain may contribute to headaches, reduced mobility, muscle fatigue, and chronic discomfort.

What Are Trigger Point Injections?

Trigger point injections are minimally invasive injections used to help relax painful muscle knots and reduce inflammation and muscle spasms.

During the procedure, medication — often including local anesthetic and sometimes anti-inflammatory medication — is injected directly into the trigger point to help release muscle tension and improve pain.

Trigger point injections may help:

• Reduce muscle tightness and spasms
• Improve range of motion
• Decrease referred pain patterns
• Improve posture and mobility
• Support participation in physical therapy and rehabilitation

Conditions Commonly Treated with Trigger Point Injections

Trigger point injections may help treat conditions including:

• Myofascial pain syndrome
• Chronic neck and back pain
• Muscle spasms and tension
• Fibromyalgia-related muscle pain
• Chronic headaches and migraines
• Shoulder and upper back pain
• TMJ-related muscle tension
• Postural strain injuries
• Sports and overuse injuries
• Chronic pain conditions involving muscle tension

Symptoms That May Benefit from Trigger Point Injections

Patients who may benefit from trigger point injections often experience:

• Tight or painful muscle knots
• Muscle spasms and stiffness
• Aching or burning muscle pain
• Pain with movement or stretching
• Reduced flexibility and mobility
• Headaches associated with muscle tension
• Pain radiating into nearby areas

What to Expect During the Procedure

Trigger point injections are performed in-office and typically take only a few minutes.

During the procedure:

• The affected muscles are identified through physical examination
• The treatment area is cleaned and prepared
• Medication is injected directly into the trigger point areas
• Multiple trigger points may be treated during the same visit if needed

Most patients tolerate the procedure well and are able to return to normal daily activities shortly afterward.

Benefits of Trigger Point Injections

Trigger point injections may help:

• Relieve muscle tension and spasms
• Improve flexibility and range of motion
• Reduce chronic muscle pain
• Improve headaches associated with muscle tightness
• Enhance participation in physical therapy
• Improve overall function and quality of life

Relief varies depending on the severity of muscle irritation and underlying pain conditions.

Comprehensive Myofascial Pain Care

At Alpenglow Pain & Wellness, trigger point injections are often combined with additional therapies to create a personalized treatment plan focused on long-term pain relief and improved mobility.

Additional treatment options may include:

Interventional Pain Management

• Nerve blocks
• Epidural steroid injections
• Radiofrequency ablation (RFA)
• Stellate ganglion blocks
• Spinal cord stimulation (SCS)
• Ketamine infusion therapy

Supportive & Wellness Therapies

• Physical therapy and rehabilitation
• Stretching and strengthening programs
• Acupuncture and integrative therapies
• Pain psychology and stress management
• Red light therapy to support recovery and circulation

Our goal is to reduce pain, improve muscle function, and help you return to daily activities using evidence-based, minimally invasive treatment options whenever possible.

If muscle tension, trigger points, or chronic myofascial pain are affecting your quality of life, contact Alpenglow Pain & Wellness today to schedule a consultation and learn more about trigger point injection treatment options.