What Are Trigger Point Injections?

• In simple terms: A small needle delivers anesthetic, sometimes with steroid, directly into the muscle knot to release tension and reduce pain.
  
  

• Scientifically: TPI involves intramuscular needle insertion into palpable taut bands of skeletal muscle fibers. Injection of local anesthetic (lidocaine/bupivacaine) ± corticosteroid interrupts the abnormal feedback loop causing sustained contraction and nociceptive signaling.
  

  
  

Conditions Treated

• Myofascial pain syndrome
  
  

• Chronic neck and back pain from muscle spasm
  
  

• Pain related to chronic pain syndromes
  
  

• Tension headaches and shoulder/neck muscle knots
  
  

• Muscle spasm after spinal injuries or surgery
  
  

The Trigger Point Injection Procedure: Step by Step

Plain-English Overview

1. Preparation: Done in-office or outpatient setting.
   
   

2. Localization: Painful knot is identified by palpation.
   
   

3. Injection: A small needle injects anesthetic (sometimes with steroid).
   
   

4. Release: Muscle relaxes, relieving pain and restoring mobility.
   
   

5. Recovery: Bandage applied; no downtime required.
   
   

Surgeon-Level Detail

• Identification: Palpation of taut band reproducing pain; trigger point marked.
  
  

• Needle technique: 25–27G needle inserted into muscle knot; repeated “peppering” technique to disrupt contraction.
  
  

• Medication: Local anesthetic (lidocaine/bupivacaine) ± corticosteroid injected in small volumes.
  
  

• Dry needling option: Some injections may use only needling (no medication).
  
  

• Closure: Bandage applied; stretching encouraged afterward.