Trigger Point Injections

If you’ve ever had a sudden muscle spasm, you know the pain caused by a trigger point. At Pure Health Aurora, our exceptional team can ease the pain with a trigger point injection, relaxing the affected muscle and restoring movement. Call our office in Aurora, Illinois, if you have questions or want to schedule a trigger point injection. You can also request an appointment through online booking at any time.

What is a trigger point?

A trigger point is a knotted muscle. The knot develops when a small group of muscles tightens or spasms, causing a hard bump (nodule). Touching the bump is always painful, but you might feel the discomfort without putting pressure on the bump.

The pain and tightness could limit movement. Pushing on the trigger point can cause pain in another part of your body (called referred pain).

In addition to the pain of a muscle spasm, tight muscles pinch nerves and block blood flow in the area. Limited circulation also allows toxic wastes to build up, which adds to the pain.

What is a trigger point injection?

Trigger point injections relieve your discomfort by relaxing the muscle knot. The injection sends a local anesthetic directly into the tight nodule.

Trigger points often develop if you:

• Repeat the same muscle movements
• Lift heavy objects or weights
• Suffer a muscle injury
• Have poor posture
• Feel stressed

Trigger points can occur in any muscle and the connective tissues surrounding your muscles (the fascia). They’re most likely to appear in the upper back, shoulders, neck, lower back, and legs.

Does a trigger point injection treat other conditions?

Myofascial pain syndrome occurs when muscle pain caused by trigger points turns into a long-lasting (chronic) condition. 

People with fibromyalgia (widespread muscle pain and severe fatigue) often develop trigger points. Trigger point injections are crucial treatments for both conditions.

What happens during a trigger point injection?

At Pure Health Aurora, our team will clean the skin above the trigger point. Your provider will hold the nodule between their fingers and insert a thin needle into the bump.

Your provider will then insert and slightly withdraw the needle without removing it from the muscle, repeatedly needling the nodule until it relaxes. Then, our team will inject the medication. You can go home as soon as you receive your injection.

Don’t wait to connect with our team at Pure Health Aurora if you have a painful muscle knot. Call the office or request an appointment online today.