How Trigger Point Injections Can Alleviate Your Chronic Pain: A Guide for Neck, Back, and Leg Pain Relief

Introduction:

Living with chronic pain in the neck, back, or legs can be debilitating, affecting every aspect of your life. Fortunately, there are various treatment options available, and one effective approach gaining popularity is trigger point injection under the ultrasound guidance. In this blog post, we will explore the benefits of trigger point injections, when to consider them, how they work to release muscle knots, and what you should know about this innovative treatment option.

Understanding Trigger Point Injections:

Trigger point injections are a minimally invasive procedure that involves the targeted injection of a local anesthetic or a combination of anesthetic and corticosteroid into specific trigger points, or muscle knots. These trigger points are areas of tight muscle fibers that can cause localised pain as well as referred pain in other areas of the body. Ultrasound guided trigger point injection demonstrated pain reduction in 72.8% following procedure therefore technique should be considered as for eradication myofascial trigger point (Kongsagul et al 2020).

Benefits of Trigger Point Injections Performed under Ultrasound Guidance:

1. Targeted Pain Relief: Trigger point injections directly address the source of pain by relaxing and releasing the tight muscle fibers, providing immediate and localised pain relief.

2. Improved Range of Motion: By reducing muscle tension and promoting relaxation, trigger point injections can enhance your flexibility and range of motion, allowing you to perform daily activities with greater ease.

3. Decreases Inflammation: Improves the muscle function by decreasing the inflammation in the muscle if there is inflammation in the muscle following injury to muscle.

4. Quick and Convenient: The procedure can typically be performed in a clinic, and the injection itself takes only a few minutes, requiring minimal downtime.

Benefits to Release Nerve for Trapped Nerve:

Injection performed under ultrasound guidance create a separation between your muscle and connective tissue: When a nerve is compressed, as is the case in conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome, it produces a sensation of pins and needles. The fascia, the tissue surrounding your muscles, can also adhere to itself, causing continuous discomfort. A trigger point injection creates space in the affected area, separating the muscle from the connective tissue. This relieves pain and improves functionality.

How Trigger Point Injections Work:

The exact mechanism behind trigger point injections is not fully understood. However, it is believed that the injection of the local anesthetic helps to disrupt the pain cycle by numbing the trigger point and reducing muscle spasms. Additionally, the corticosteroid component of the injection can provide anti-inflammatory effects, further reducing pain and inflammation in the targeted area.

Frequency and Considerations: The frequency of trigger point injections will depend on the severity and persistence of your pain. In general, it is recommended to start with one initial injection to assess their effectiveness. If one injection provides significant or reasonable relief, then subsequent injections may be scheduled on an as-needed basis (Hammi et al 2022). However, it is important to consult with a clinician who can provide personalised guidance based on your specific condition.

Sports Injury and Trigger Point Injections: Trigger point injections are also beneficial for individuals dealing with sports-related injuries. Athletes frequently develop trigger points due to overuse or acute injuries, leading to localised pain and decreased performance. Trigger point injections can help alleviate pain, promote healing, and facilitate a quicker return to sports activities.

Why Use Ultrasound for Trigger Point: Utilizing ultrasound guidance for trigger point injections in the muscle can assist in ensuring accurate needle positioning. Furthermore, employing ultrasound guidance for trigger point injections risk of pneumothorax, nerve or vessel injury resulting from incorrect injection placement can be avoided (Kongsagul et al 2020 and Botwin et al 2008).

Living with chronic pain can significantly impact your quality of life, but trigger point injections offer a promising solution. By directly targeting muscle knots and providing quick relief, this minimally invasive procedure can improve your daily functioning and alleviate pain in the neck, back, and legs. If you're considering trigger point injections, consult with our clinician at The Podiatry and Physiotherapy Clinics to determine if this treatment is right for you. Remember, with the right approach and expert guidance, you can regain control over your chronic pain and lead a more fulfilling life.

To book for an appointment you can call our normal reception line, 0121 285 5656 or email direct to hello@thepodiatryclinics.co.uk requesting an appointment. Please include your name, date of birth, your address and GP contact details.

You will be sent a form to complete and forward back to us or bring along on the day.

References:

Trigger Point Injection Claudia Hammi 1, Jeremy D. Schroeder 2, Brent Yeung 3. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan. 2022 Nov 25.

Ultrasound-Guided Physiological Saline Injection for Patients with Myofascial Pain. Sussaya Kongsagul 1, Timporn Vitoonpong 1 2, Wasuwat Kitisomprayoonkul 1, Natthiya Tantisiriwat 1 2. Pain Physician. 2008 Nov-Dec;11(6):885-9.

Ultrasound-guided trigger point injections in the cervicothoracic musculature: a new and unreported technique. Kenneth P Botwin 1, Kavita Sharma, Romeo Saliba, Bharat C Patel·         J Am Coll Emerg Physicians Open. 2020 Oct; 1(5): 876–879.