Trigger Point Injections

Pain Conditions Overview

What is a Trigger Point?

Arizona Pain Treatment Centers providers educate patients that there are many causes of back and neck pain. They include bulging and herniated discs, spinal stenosis, and sacroiliac joint disease and muscular or myofascial pain.

That being said, myofascial pain is a common painful muscle disorder caused by muscular trigger points and it’s important to understand the nature of trigger points to better address the symptoms.

Trigger points are discreet, focal, hyper-irritable spots located in a taut band of skeletal muscle. The spots are painful on compression and can produce referred pain, tenderness, muscle weakness and autonomic dysfunction.

Many patients refer to a trigger point as a “knot” in their muscles.

Trigger points can be located almost anywhere in the body and can cause a variety of painful symptoms and can be described as active or latent.

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What Causes Trigger Points to Develop?

There are several possible causes of trigger points. Repetitive trauma or injury to an area may cause trigger points. Lack of exercise, poor posture, vitamin deficiencies and joint problems may also cause or contribute to the problem. Occupational or recreational activities that produce repetitive stress on a specific muscle or group of muscles may cause trigger points to develop.

How are Trigger Points Treated with an Injection?

Trigger Point Injections(TPI) involved administering medications into the specific area or areas of the trigger point in the muscle. Our providers may use non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory medications, cortisone and muscle relaxants depending on the nature of the trigger point. If a patient has been in an auto accident, this treatment can be very effective in calming the trauma and spasm.