A trigger point is a painful band or knot in a muscle that can cause either localized or referred pain. Often the knot can be felt under the skin and may twitch involuntarily when touched.

Trigger point injection involves inserting a small needle into the patient’s trigger point to relax the area of intense muscle spasm. The needle contains a local anesthetic and may also include cortisone. Making the trigger point inactive helps alleviate the pain.

The procedure typically takes just a few minutes and can be administered in the office. Depending upon your condition, several sites may be injected in one visit. You may experience numbness from the anesthetic for about an hour or so after receiving the injection, and a bruise may form. Applying alternating moist heat and ice therapy can help to relieve any pain associated with the injection. Your doctor may also recommend stretching exercises and other physical therapy to complement your TPI therapy.