Why Trigger Point Injections?
Trigger Point Injections allow for fastest and most effective reduction of “trigger points” or muscle pains. Trigger point injections help muscles relax and break up scar tissue. This helps balance the soft tissues and takes uneven pressure off the skeleton, making it easier for the chiropractor to make structural changes to a patient’s neck, upper and lower back.

What is a trigger point?
Trigger points are painful areas of muscle that are tender and feel like tight bands or knots when pressed. Pressing on the trigger point will “trigger” pain at the area of pressure and often pain to other areas. Trigger points are over active muscle areas that can come from stress, using the muscles too much, or problems with spine or posture. They can be treated by improving posture, reducing stress, and exercise. Most often these treatments will not correct it and your provider may want to treat the problem with the trigger point injection.
How will you feel afterwards?
You might feel relief right away or the relief might take up to 3-4 days after the trigger point treatment. You may even feel some soreness, as you might after a shot. You should stretch the muscle and can use ice or cold packs if needed. Within 1 to 2 days, soreness should fade, but the trigger point release should last. These treatments are usually given in a series of 3-6 treatments depending on severity and patient response. There should be less pain than before treatment. For best results it is important to follow your recommended treatment plan.
How are trigger points injected?
When doing this treatment, your medical provider will mark the skin over the point, clean the skin, spray a cooling spray to numb the area, and insert a fine needle through the skin into the trigger point area and that may cause a small twitch. You may be able to feel the twitch. This tells us that the trigger point has been reached. Most providers will then inject a small amount of medicine to numb the trigger area, and you may feel some burning at this time. Once the numbing medicine is given, your provider will move the needle gently in and out of the trigger point area, changing directions many times to make sure it is all treated. Most trigger point treatments take 60 seconds, or less, each area.
What should I do after the injection?
Keeping up with your chiropractic visits and rehab is a great addition to pair with your trigger point injections. The injections should make adjustments and therapy exercises more comfortable as well as more effective. Rehab works better when the muscles are more balanced. When you are pain-free, use the time to stretch the treated muscle, perform your exercise program, and take your treatment plan serious to keep the trigger points from coming back, reducing pain, and improving your overall happiness so you can live your best life!
Testimonial
My name is Tammy Hock, I am 53 years old and am a Team Leader at Target. I was recently in a motor vehicle accident which resulted in severe neck and back pain. I immediately came to Active Health Clinics after a recommendation from a friend. The pain I was experiencing was a 10/10. Dr. Zach and the entire staff are so awesome. My treatment plan did not only consist of chiropractic care but was paired with rehab/stretches and trigger point injections. “After receiving the trigger point injections, Tammy’s results of her adjustments were night and day different. The adjustments were smoother and lasted longer; providing her longer relief of pain,” said Dr. Zach. Before my treatment at Active Health Clinics I wasn’t able to work out or even go to work. I continued my treatment plan and kept getting better and better, and I now feel excellent! I would for sure recommend AHC
to a friend!