Neck pressure points, or trigger points, are tight, knotted areas of tense muscle that cause myofascial pain syndrome. They are common in muscles that affect the neck and can be a source of chronic neck pain. A simple injection into these points can provide minimally invasive pain relief. If your ongoing pain has not responded to other therapies, your EmergeOrtho-Foothills Region orthopedic neck specialist may recommend cervical trigger point injections.
Hear Dr. Graham McRary answer common questions about trigger point injections:
What Are Cervical Trigger Points and How Do They Cause Neck Pain?
Myofascial trigger points, or pressure points, are tight, contracted knots in muscle and fascial tissue surrounding muscles. They cause myofascial pain syndrome, which is a very common cause of pain and reduced range of motion in various parts of the body, including the neck.
You can often feel neck pressure points as lumps under the skin. They cause muscle pain, tension, and reduced range of motion, especially when touched. Many common sources of neck pain cause trigger points. They often develop near a sprained or strained muscle after acute trauma. Poor posture, such as sitting at a desk all day, can also contribute to the development of trigger points in the neck and back.
For some people, a myofascial trigger point responds to stretching and exercises, physical therapy, massage therapy, or heat therapy. Chronic trigger points that cause more significant pain might not resolve with these strategies. In these instances, trigger point injections are often the next step.
How Do Trigger Point Injections in the Neck Work?
A trigger point injection is an injection of medication or saline solution into the tight area of the muscle to relax it and provide pain relief. Cervical trigger point injections target painful areas of the neck. Some of the pain medications and other substances physicians use during this procedure include:
- Saline: Saline is simply a saltwater solution. It can help the muscles relax.
- Local Anesthetic: An anesthetic, like a lidocaine injection, provides quick but temporary pain relief.
- Corticosteroids: This medication reduces any inflammation that might be causing or worsening pain. It is sometimes used with an anesthetic to provide both quick and longer-term relief.
- Botulinum Toxin: Botox relaxes localized areas of the muscle to relieve pain.
A similar strategy to trigger point injections is called dry needling. This treatment uses thin needles without any medication or saline. Dry needling in the trigger point is often enough to release the knot.
Who Can Benefit From Trigger Point Injections?
If you catch a trigger point as it just begins to develop, you can probably manage it with physical therapy, associated exercises, and stretching. If the trigger points are chronic, have been causing pain for a long time, and do not respond to other treatments, you could be a good candidate for a trigger point injection.
Studies show that an injection is one of the most effective ways to treat pain caused by myofascial knots. It can effectively release or deactivate the trigger point, releasing tension and sensitivity as well as reducing pain.
What Happens During a Trigger Point Injection?
This is a simple and quick procedure. Your healthcare professional will identify the trigger or pressure point and disinfect the skin in that area. They will then insert a needle into the trigger point. They might need to move the needle in and out a little to trigger a response in the muscle.
During an injection, you might feel mild pain from the initial needle insertion, but it should not hurt significantly. You might also feel your muscles twitch or spasm.
How Quickly Do Trigger Point Injections Work and How Long Do They Last?
Each patient responds differently to the treatment. Some experience immediate pain relief, while others do not see the effects for a day or longer. Some people might not experience any benefits.
The duration of the benefits of trigger point injections also vary by patient. Typically, the beneficial pain and tension relief last for a few weeks to a month.
Are There Any Risks or Side Effects of Trigger Point Injections?
Trigger point injections are considered safe for most patients. The risks are low and are typically outweighed by the benefits. The most common side effects are bruising, tenderness, and soreness at the injection site, which resolve quickly.
Only rarely does this treatment cause more serious complications, including infection, excessive bleeding, or vascular injury.
What Are the Alternatives To Trigger Point Injections for Neck Pain?
Other conservative treatments for neck pain include rest, over-the-counter pain medications, ice and heat therapy, and physical therapy with stretching and other exercises.
If conservative therapies do not bring you relief from neck pain, an orthopedist can recommend the possibility of more invasive procedures, including surgery.
If you are dealing with ongoing neck pain, EmergeOrtho-Foothills Region spine, back, and neck specialists, pain management providers, and physical therapists can help. Make an appointment today.
