Simple Injections for Muscle Spasm and Pain

Good Morning! This is The Field Guide to Back and Neck Pain, the newsletter to stay up to date on treatments and symptoms of back pain, neck pain and other chronic pain conditions. Welcome to all new readers! To those that have been here before, thank you, it’s so good to see you again.

Here is what you can expect from today’s edition:

• What are Trigger Point Injections?

• How a Trigger Point Injections could help you

• News: Foods that can help prevent muscle cramps

What are Trigger Point Injections?

A trigger point injection (TPI) is a medical procedure commonly used to treat muscle pain, tension and spasm. This pain and tightness in the muscle may be present due to underlying spine pain from arthritis, disc bulging or herniation, pinched nerves, etc. The muscle pain and spasm can occur in any muscle in the body but often localizes around an area with other pain generators, like the ones mentioned above. Furthermore, the pain may be very specific to a certain area of the affected muscle called a trigger point.

These trigger points are often sensitive areas within a muscle that can cause localized pain, referred pain, and restricted range of motion. These may cause you to feel “knots” in your muscles. Trigger points can develop due to various factors, such as muscle overuse, injury, muscle strain, stress, or other medical conditions.

Here's how a trigger point injection is typically performed:

• A healthcare provider, often a physician or advanced practice provider, locates the trigger point through physical examination and palpation. Palpation involves feeling for the taut bands or knots in the muscle.

• The skin over the trigger point is cleaned and sterilized to reduce the risk of infection.

• A needle is inserted into the trigger point, and a solution is injected. This solution usually contains a local anesthetic (such as lidocaine or bupivacaine) and sometimes a corticosteroid. The anesthetic helps alleviate pain and spasm immediately, and the corticosteroid may reduce inflammation and provide longer-term relief.

• After the injection, the healthcare provider may apply a bandage or dressing. Patients are often advised to rest the treated muscle and avoid strenuous activity for a brief period.

• The entire process typically only takes a few minutes. This injection is usually tolerated well by most people and does not cause much pain or discomfort during the procedure.

Keep reading to learn how trigger point injections could help you!

Laugh through the pain…

How Trigger Point Injections Could Help You

The goal of a trigger point injection is to relieve pain, improve muscle function, and promote muscle relaxation. The injection of medication helps relieve the pain associated with the trigger point by relaxing the muscle and reducing inflammation. The immediate relief from the anesthetic can help patients participate in physical therapy or exercises to address the underlying issues that caused the trigger points and muscle pain. In some cases, multiple injections may be required to fully address the problem.

Dry needling can be used in some cases instead of injecting medication. Dry needling involves inserting a needle into the trigger point without injecting any medication; this process is thought to stimulate blood flow and promote muscle relaxation.

Trigger point injections are generally considered safe and are often used as part of a comprehensive treatment plan for individuals experiencing muscle pain, particularly when conservative treatments like physical therapy, stretching, and medications have not provided sufficient relief. However, the specific approach and choice of medication can vary depending on the individual's condition and the healthcare provider's judgment. It's essential to consult with a medical professional to determine if trigger point injections are appropriate for your situation.

Ask your doctor if your muscle pain and/or spasm could be treated with trigger point injections!

In the news…

Ever wondered if certain foods can help prevent muscle cramps and spasms? Check out this recent article to find out!

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About the Author

Les is an invaluable member of the team! He is the Lead Writer for the Field Guide to Back and Neck Pain newsletter. However, Les Payne is just a Pen Name to protect the identity of our expert Lead Writer who is an actively practicing, board-certified expert in the treatment and prevention of back and neck pain as well as other acute and chronic pain conditions. He has years of experience in this field and has treated over 15,000 patients with pain of all kinds!

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