Chronic muscle pain can be debilitating, affecting daily activities, mobility, and overall quality of life. For those suffering from persistent muscle tightness, tension, or pain, trigger point injections (TPIs) offer a targeted and effective treatment option. These injections help relieve pain by addressing muscular knots—known as trigger points—that contribute to discomfort and restricted movement.
In this blog, we’ll explore how trigger point injections work, the conditions they can treat, and why they may be the right solution for managing your chronic muscle pain.
What Are Trigger Points?
Trigger points are tight bands of muscle fibers that can develop due to injury, overuse, poor posture, or stress. These knots form within the muscle and fail to relax, leading to pain, stiffness, and limited range of motion. In some cases, trigger points can also cause referred pain, meaning they send pain signals to other areas of the body.
Common symptoms of trigger points include:
- Localized muscle pain and tenderness
- Stiffness or restricted movement
- Muscle spasms or twitching
- Radiating or referred pain to surrounding areas
- Headaches caused by tension in neck or shoulder muscles
How Do Trigger Point Injections Work?
Trigger point injections involve injecting a small amount of anesthetic and/or corticosteroid directly into the trigger point to help relax the muscle, relieve tension, and reduce inflammation. Some injections may contain saline or dry needling techniques to break up the tight muscle tissue.
The procedure is quick, minimally invasive, and requires no downtime, making it an effective treatment for those experiencing ongoing muscular pain.
What to Expect During a TPI Treatment
- Evaluation – Your provider will assess the area of pain and identify trigger points that need treatment.
- Injection – A small needle is inserted into the trigger point, delivering the medication to relax the tight muscle.
- Relief – Many patients experience immediate or gradual relief as the muscle relaxes and inflammation decreases.
Most patients notice improved mobility and pain reduction within hours or days, with long-term relief achieved through additional treatments and complementary therapies such as chiropractic care, physical rehabilitation, or ARP Wave Therapy.
Conditions Treated with Trigger Point Injections
TPIs are commonly used to manage chronic pain conditions and muscle dysfunction. These include:
Neck and Shoulder Pain
Persistent tension in the neck and shoulders can lead to pain, stiffness, and headaches. TPIs help release muscle knots contributing to these symptoms.
Tension Headaches and Migraines
Muscle tension in the head, neck, and shoulders can trigger migraines and chronic headaches. TPIs can relieve tension in these muscles, reducing headache frequency and severity.
Lower Back Pain
Chronic back pain is often caused by tight muscles and spasms. TPIs help reduce muscular tension and improve range of motion, making it easier to perform daily activities without pain.
Fibromyalgia
Patients with fibromyalgia often experience widespread muscle pain and tender points. TPIs offer a targeted solution for pain management and muscle relaxation.
Sciatica and Piriformis Syndrome
When trigger points form in the lower back or gluteal muscles, they can compress the sciatic nerve, leading to pain that radiates down the leg. TPIs can help relieve this pressure and ease symptoms.
Myofascial Pain Syndrome
This chronic pain condition is characterized by widespread muscle tightness and trigger points. TPIs are one of the most effective treatments for breaking up muscle knots and providing long-lasting relief.
The Benefits of Trigger Point Injections
- Fast and effective relief – Most patients experience improvement within hours or days
- Minimally invasive – The procedure is quick, with minimal discomfort
- Targets the root cause – TPIs relieve muscle tension directly, rather than masking pain with medication
- Improves mobility – Patients can move more freely and comfortably after treatment
- Complements other therapies – Works well with chiropractic care, physical rehab, and other pain management treatments
Is a Trigger Point Injection Right for You?
If you suffer from chronic muscle pain, tension headaches, or limited mobility, trigger point injections could be an effective treatment option for you. At Balance Wellspace, we provide personalized care plans to help relieve pain and restore function, ensuring that you receive the most effective treatment for your needs.
Ready to experience relief? Contact Balance Wellspace today to schedule a consultation and see if trigger point injections are the right solution for your chronic muscle pain.