What is it?
Trigger
point injection (TPI) therapy relieves the pain and stiffness caused by tight
muscles. A trigger point is a knot or tight, ropey band that forms when a
muscle fails to relax. Trigger points trap and irritate surrounding nerves and
cause pain in the entire muscle body. If left untreated, scar tissue, decreased
range of motion, and muscle weakness may develop.
What conditions can Trigger Point
Injections treat?
Trigger point injections are used to
treat a variety of painful muscular conditions including:
- Pulled muscles that are tight and in spasm
- Knots in shoulders, neck, back, hips, legs
- General muscular pain from stress or overuse
- Fibromyalgia
- Myofascial pain syndrome (chronic pain
involving the tissue that surrounds muscle).
How does it work?
Local
anesthetics are injected into each trigger point. The medication inactivates
the trigger point and alleviates the pain in three ways:
1.
relaxes the muscle fibers
2. hydrates the muscle cells
3.
releases entrapped nerves
The
result is an immediate relief of pain and a relaxation in muscles that have
been stiff, sore, and tight for weeks, months, and sometimes even years.
Is
it safe? What are the risks/side effects?
Trigger
point injection therapy is a safe and effective procedure when performed by a
specialist. Dr. Monagle is trained and board-certified to administer trigger
point injection therapy by the internationally recognized Naturopathic Academy
for Therapeutic Injection (NATI). Injections are given at the clinic and take approximately 20-30 minutes. The side effects of trigger point
injections are minimal. From several minutes to a few days immediately following
your injections you may notice:
- lightheadedness
- soreness in area treated
- bruising around the injection site
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