What is Trigger Point Injection

Trigger point injection is a shot given in the trigger point to help relieve pain for a few days to a few months. Trigger points are areas where you have pain. Common places for trigger points include:

• The neck.
• The shoulders.
• The upper back.
• The lower back.

A trigger point injection will not cure long-lasting (chronic) pain permanently. These injections do not always work for every person, but for some people they can help to relieve pain for a few days to a few months.

Tell a health care provider about:

• Any allergies you have.
• All medicines you are taking, including vitamins, herbs, eye drops, creams, and over-the-counter medicines.
• Any problems you or family members have had with anesthetic medicines.
• Any blood disorders you have.
• Any surgeries you have had.
• Any medical conditions you have.

What are the risks?

Generally, this is a safe procedure. However, problems may occur, including:

• Infection.
• Bleeding.
• Allergic reaction to the injected medicine.
• Irritation of the skin around the injection site.

What happens before the procedure?

• Ask your health care provider about changing or stopping your regular medicines. This is especially important if you are taking diabetes medicines or blood thinners.

What happens during the procedure?

• Your health care provider will feel for trigger points. A marker may be used to circle the area for the injection.
• The skin over the trigger point will be washed with a germ-killing (antiseptic) solution.
• A thin needle is used for the shot. You may feel pain or a twitching feeling when the needle enters the trigger point.
• A numbing solution may be injected into the trigger point. Sometimes a medicine to keep down swelling, redness, and warmth (inflammation) is also injected.
• Your health care provider may move the needle around the area where the trigger point is located until the tightness and twitching goes away.
• After the injection, your health care provider may put gentle pressure over the injection site.
• The injection site will be covered with a bandage (dressing).

The procedure may vary among health care providers and hospitals.

What happens after the procedure?

• The dressing can be taken off in a few hours or as told by your health care provider.
• You may feel sore and stiff for 1–2 days.