Trigger Point Injections Specialist in Rapid City, SD

A trigger point injection is a treatment modality that is used to relieve pain in muscles, ligaments, and fascia by injecting the area with a corticosteroid, anesthetic, or other medication. The injection itself is painless and takes place in an area that has become tender after injury or overuse. The injection is not a cure, but a means of reducing the pain and allowing the affected muscle to relax.

Trigger points are small, hardened knots in soft tissue that can become painful and debilitating, particularly in the neck, back, and shoulders. Trigger point injections are designed to treat these painful and debilitating trigger points.

A trigger point injection is an outpatient procedure performed in an in-office setting, such as a pain management clinic. During the procedure, the patient will be instructed to either lie facedown on the exam table or sit on the exam table. The exact technique varies. The administering professional locate the trigger point by manual palpation (touching), then they will mark the site of injection. Ultrasound guidance is not generally necessary. The injection site is then cleaned.

Oftentimes, a numbing spray is used to anesthetize the skin, which makes the actual injection less painful. The needle is then inserted into the trigger point and the medication is injected; the exact composition of the injection varies based on the needs of the patient. If the area is painful after the injection, ice, heat or over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may be used if cleared by a physician.

Trigger point injections are used to target painful, hyper-irritable muscle knots known as trigger points with injections that typically contain a local anesthetic, a corticosteroid, and saline. The local anesthetic, such as lidocaine, goes to work immediately to relax the irritated nerves in the area. At the same time, the steroid tackles the inflammation, which has a direct effect on pain.

Trigger point injections are most commonly used to address myofascial problems almost anywhere in the body, including pain in the:

•  Back
•  Neck
•  Shoulders
•  Arms
•  Legs

Trigger-point injections are not indicated for every kind of pain, including joint pain, surgical site pain, lacerations, or neuralgia. However, it is ideal for:

• Muscle Spasms: Muscle spasms, which can be incredibly painful, can be ameliorated with trigger point injections.
• Fibromyalgia: People with fibromyalgia are typically considered candidates for trigger point injections, as these injections can directly target pain and provide instant relief.
• Myofascial Pain Syndrome: Trigger point injections are also ideal for complex pain conditions such as myofascial pain syndrome.
•  Headaches: Although one might not immediately think of headaches when considering the uses of trigger point injections, people with headaches often respond well to this treatment and experience a significant reduction in pain in many cases.

If you have painful trigger points that disrupt your day-to-day functioning, come to Rapid City Interventional Pain Clinic for treatments you can trust. For more information, contact us to book an appointment. We are conveniently located at 101 E Minnesota St. Rapid City, SD 57701. We serve patients from Rapid City SD, Rapid Valley SD, Black Hawk SD, Box Elder SD, Sturgis SD, and surrounding areas.