Trigger point injections are a popular treatment for people with chronic musculoskeletal pain who have not responded to other therapies or want an alternative treatment. The injections focus on the trigger points, which cause referred pain and spasm in the muscles around them. This is one of several injection therapies used by physiotherapists to treat conditions such as spasticity, bursitis, and even some types of headaches. But how do you know that you can benefit from trigger point injections? Here are some common conditions you can treat by visiting a specialist in trigger point injections in San Diego.
Neck Pain
Cervical muscle spasms in the neck, often felt when you “worry” about something, can be treated with trigger point injections. People who experience this common health problem sometimes try medication to deal with the pain, but these don’t provide much relief and do not address the cause of the pain. Trigger points in muscles in the neck can refer to pain in another part of the body. For example, trigger points in muscles that run along either side of the spine may refer to arms or head pain.
Fibromyalgia
Muscle pain can make people who have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia think that the problem is in their brain, not their muscles. However, trigger point injections can be a real benefit for people who suffer from this type of chronic pain. Trigger points that cause referred pain to areas such as the hips or shoulders can be targeted by these injections.
Back Pain
Muscles that become very tense and knotted due to an injury or because you’ve been carrying heavy objects can cause severe pain in the lower back. Trigger point injections can treat trigger points that refer to pain in this area. The relief people get from these injections may come as a surprise, especially if they have tried traditional treatments for back pain.
Headaches
Tight muscles often cause headaches in the shoulders or neck. When your head is in a specific position for a long time, trigger points can develop, which refer to pain in the head when you move. Trapped nerves in the neck can also be a cause of headaches. Trigger point injections have proved to effectively treat trigger points and referred pain in the head and neck.
Myofascial Pain Syndrome
People who have this type of pain are often advised to try trigger point injections as a first treatment. The painful area can be identified by touch, unlike the muscle aches that people with fibromyalgia suffer from. Pain is felt in one place, which may be due to pressure on a nerve or damaged tissue, known as an enthesopathy. It can be caused by physical trauma such as an accident, and in many cases, the pain continues long after the person has recovered from their injury.
In summary, trigger point injections are a simple treatment for people who suffer from muscle pain and spasm. They can provide long-term relief, and you can use them to treat almost any part of the body. Trigger point injections work well as the first treatment for fibromyalgia and myofascial pain syndrome. Still, they may also benefit people who have not managed to get much relief from other therapies.
