Trigger Point Injections

What are trigger points?

 

Trigger points are small, tight bands within a muscle that are painful when pressed.

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They may:

• Cause pain at the site of the muscle

• Produce pain that spreads to another area (referred pain)

• Limit movement

• Cause muscle stiffness

• Make everyday activities uncomfortable

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Trigger points are a common feature of myofascial pain syndrome, but they may also occur alongside arthritis, spinal pain, sports injuries and other musculoskeletal conditions.

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What are trigger point injections?

 

Trigger point injections involve placing a small needle directly into the painful muscle knot.

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Depending on your individual circumstances, the injection may contain:

• Local anaesthetic

• Local anaesthetic with a small amount of corticosteroid

• Or, in some situations, dry needling may be appropriate without injecting medication

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The aim is to relax the affected muscle, reduce pain and allow the muscle to move more normally.

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Who may benefit?

 

Trigger point injections may be suitable for patients with:

• Myofascial pain syndrome

• Persistent muscle pain

• Painful muscle knots

• Muscle spasm

• Neck and shoulder muscle pain

• Upper back pain

• Low back muscle pain

• Buttock muscle pain

• Persistent pain despite physiotherapy and medication

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The procedure is often used alongside rehabilitation rather than as a standalone treatment.

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How do we determine whether I'm suitable?

 

Before recommending treatment, I perform a detailed assessment to identify whether trigger points are contributing to your symptoms.

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This includes:

• A discussion of your symptoms

• Examination of the affected muscles

• Assessment of posture and movement

• Review of previous investigations where appropriate

• Consideration of other possible causes of pain, including joint, nerve and tendon conditions

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If another condition is thought to be the main source of your pain, alternative treatments may be recommended.

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What happens during the procedure?

 

Trigger point injections are usually performed during your clinic appointment and take around 15–30 minutes, depending on the number of muscles being treated.

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The procedure involves:

1. Identifying the painful trigger points.

2. Cleaning the skin.

3. Inserting a fine needle into the affected muscle.

4. Injecting the selected medication if appropriate.

5. Treating additional trigger points if required.

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No stitches are required, and most patients are able to return home immediately afterwards.

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Recovery

 

It is common to experience temporary soreness in the treated muscles for 24 to 48 hours.

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Most patients can:

• Continue gentle movement immediately after treatment

• Resume normal daily activities the following day

• Restart strengthening exercises as discomfort settles

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Combining trigger point injections with stretching, physiotherapy and strengthening exercises often provides the greatest long-term benefit.

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What are the benefits?

 

For carefully selected patients, trigger point injections may:

• Reduce muscle pain

• Relax tight muscles

• Improve flexibility

• Improve movement

• Reduce muscle spasm

• Improve sleep

• Make physiotherapy and exercise more comfortable

• Improve quality of life

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The amount and duration of improvement varies between individuals.

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What conditions can be treated?

 

Trigger point injections may be used as part of the management of:

• Myofascial pain syndrome

• Neck pain

• Shoulder pain

• Upper back pain

• Lower back pain

• Buttock pain

• Tension-related muscle pain

• Persistent pain following injury

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Treatment is tailored to your symptoms rather than based on one diagnosis alone.

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What are the risks?

 

Trigger point injections are generally considered a very safe procedure.

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Possible risks include:

• Temporary soreness

• Bruising

• Minor bleeding

• Infection

• Temporary increase in pain

• Allergic reaction to medication (rare)

• Failure to improve symptoms

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Very rarely, injections into muscles around the chest wall carry a risk of pneumothorax (collapsed lung). When treating these areas, careful technique and, where appropriate, ultrasound guidance are used to minimise this risk.

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Frequently Asked Questions

 

What is a trigger point?

 

A trigger point is a tight, tender area within a muscle that can cause pain locally or in a different part of the body when pressed.

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Will the injection cure my muscle pain?

 

Trigger point injections can reduce pain and improve muscle function, but they are usually most effective when combined with stretching, strengthening exercises and addressing the underlying cause of the muscle tension.

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Are trigger point injections painful?

 

Most patients experience only brief discomfort during the procedure. The injection itself often reproduces your familiar pain for a few seconds before settling.

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How long do the benefits last?

 

Some patients experience improvement for weeks or months, while others may require additional rehabilitation or repeat treatment depending on the underlying cause of their symptoms.

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Can several muscles be treated at once?

 

Yes.

Multiple trigger points can often be treated during the same appointment if clinically appropriate.

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Will I still need physiotherapy?

 

Usually, yes.

The injection aims to reduce pain sufficiently to allow more effective stretching, strengthening and rehabilitation.

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Why choose Dr David Crabtree?

 

As a Consultant in Pain Medicine, I specialise in identifying the underlying causes of persistent musculoskeletal pain rather than simply treating symptoms.

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Muscle pain frequently occurs alongside joint, tendon or nerve conditions. My aim is to identify all contributing factors and develop a treatment plan that combines evidence-based interventions with rehabilitation to achieve lasting improvement.

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Where trigger point injections are appropriate, they are performed using careful technique and, where indicated, ultrasound guidance to maximise accuracy and safety.

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Ready to explore your treatment options?

 

If persistent muscle pain or painful muscle knots are affecting your work, sleep or daily activities, a consultation can help determine whether trigger point injections or another treatment is the most appropriate next step.

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