What Are Trigger Point Injections?
Trigger Point Injections (TPI) are a minimally invasive treatment option used to alleviate muscle pain and dysfunction caused by trigger points. Trigger points are localized areas of muscle tightness and tenderness that can develop as a result of injury, overuse, or stress. These trigger points can cause referred pain, muscle stiffness, and limited range of motion.
How Do Trigger Point Injections Work?
During a Trigger Point Injection, your healthcare provider at Timothy Groth MD PC will carefully locate the trigger points using palpation or ultrasound guidance. A small needle is then precisely inserted into the trigger point, and some local anesthetic is injected. This can relax the tight muscle fibers, alleviate pain, and improve blood flow to the affected area.
What Conditions Does Trigger Point Injections Treat?
Trigger Point Injections can be beneficial for various musculoskeletal conditions, including:
Myofascial pain syndrome: TPIs are commonly used to treat myofascial pain syndrome, a chronic pain disorder characterized by the presence of trigger points in muscle tissue.
Fibromyalgia: Individuals with fibromyalgia may experience relief from widespread muscle pain and tender points through trigger point injections.
Tension headaches: Trigger points in the neck and shoulder muscles can contribute to tension headaches, and TPIs may help alleviate associated pain and muscle tension.
Chronic neck and back pain: TPIs can target specific trigger points in the neck and back muscles, providing localized pain relief and improving mobility.
-
How Do I Know If I’m a Candidate for Intracept®?The Intracept® Procedure is indicated for patients who have had: Chronic low back pain for at least six months, Who have tried conservative care for at least six months and whose MRI shows features consistent with Modic changes – indicating damage at the vertebral endplates has led to inflammation. The Intracept Procedure, as with any procedure, has risks that should be discussed between the patient and medical provider.
-
How Long Does Pain Relief Last following the Intracept® Procedure?Most people start to feel pain relief within 2 weeks after the procedure. Clinical evidence demonstrates the majority of patients experience significant improvements in function and pain 3-months post procedure that are sustained more than 5 years after a single treatment.
-
Is the Intracept® Procedure painful?Some patients experience 2-3 days of soreness after the procedure, but overall it is very well tolerated and most patients return to normal activities 24 hours later.
-
What should I expect after the procedure?Most patients report at least 50% improvement of their chronic, vertebrogenic low back pain at 2 weeks after the procedure.
