Trigger Point Injection Treatment in New Jersey

The human body has a tremendous capacity to heal itself – so surgery should always be a last resort. At Centers for Neurosurgery, Spine & Orthopedics (CNSO), doctors will not recommend surgical procedures unless they are necessary. For many neck and back ailments, a trigger point injection is just one example of the conservative treatment options that can provide patients with significant or complete pain relief. Learn more about how the team at CNSO treats various conditions, including trigger points, with trigger point injections, throughout Northern New Jersey.

What Is a Trigger Point Injection?

A trigger point injection is a quick, non-surgical procedure that can relax a spasming muscle that has become so severe that it develops a trigger point that can last for weeks. Through relaxing the muscle, the patient experiences pain relief. Trigger-point muscle pain is especially common in the cervical spine (neck region), lumbar spine (lower back), arms, and legs. The key to preventing trigger points is determining the cause of the trigger point and resolving the cause.

This trigger point injection option may help patients who are seeking lasting relief from muscle spasms. Ultimately, the goal of CNSO is to help the patient to stop relying on pain medications or other ineffective modalities. Trigger point injections may be recommended by CNSO doctors when patients present with conditions such as:

• Muscle spasms: These happen when a muscle constricts and can’t relax, causing a painful knot that can occur in any part of the back or neck. Spasms can be caused by muscle fatigue, overexertion, or even just stress.
• Musculoskeletal back or neck pain: This type of pain impacts the body’s muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints, and bones. It may be caused by chronic (long-lasting) conditions, such as arthritis, or injuries that are acute (sudden and severe), such as a fracture or dislocated joint. Further, patients may experience localized symptoms in one area or could feel pain radiate throughout the entire body.
• Myofascial pain syndrome: This condition is characterized by inflammation and pain in important soft tissues – muscles and fascia (muscles’ sensitive points). The disorder places pressure on the fascia, resulting in pain felt in seemingly unrelated body parts. Myofascial pain syndrome is often caused by muscle overuse or repeated injuries and may be identifiable by chronic, sharp pain or the presence of a muscle knot that is tender to the touch.
• Athletic injuries: A wide range of injuries can result from participating in sports, routine workouts, and other athletic activities. Trigger point injections are a viable treatment for the following:
  • Stressed skeletal muscles
  • Muscle spasms, especially in the lower back (lumbar spine)
  • Overused or injured tendons, ligaments, and other connective tissues
  • Any injury requiring previous surgery and may have resulted in the formation of scar tissue
• Fibromyalgia: This condition causes musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, and joint pain throughout the entire body and can be triggered by sleep-related issues, mood swings, and more. Fibromyalgia patients are prone to develop trigger points. This is a chronic condition that is often misdiagnosed.

At every location throughout Northern New Jersey, Centers for Neurosurgery, Spine & Orthopedics offers trigger point injections as one of many nonsurgical treatment options for any musculoskeletal-related pain including back and neck pain.

About the Procedure

A trigger point injection procedure takes less than five minutes. First, the physician uses a topical anesthetic to number the skin at the injection site. Then, they insert a needle with an anesthetic mixture into the muscle, causing the muscle to relax and immediately relieves the pain. Meanwhile, the steroid combats inflammation to further aid in symptom relief.

After the procedure, patients can move and stretch freely. A bandage will be placed over the injection site, to catch any minimal bleeding. Side effects are rare, and most patients return to work or school immediately after receiving the injection. Depending on the extent and severity of a patient’s condition, doctors may recommend one or more follow-up appointments because ultimately, they must determine the root cause of the muscle spasms and prevent them from reoccurring. Additional injections are possible if the patient requests them.

Is a Trigger Point Injection The Right Treatment??

The award-winning medical staff at Centers for Neurosurgery, Spine & Orthopedics takes the time to listen to each patient carefully. Physicians ensure to document all of a patient’s symptoms and review their medical history in order to make the best treatment recommendation. The highly qualified medical team believes in taking a conservative approach first whenever possible. However, if treatments such as physical therapy, medications, and other non-surgical modalities are not able to occur because of the muscle spasm and trigger point pain being experienced, a trigger point injection should allow the patient to participate in their physical therapy stretching and strengthening conditioning to ultimately prevent further trigger points.

Get in Touch with CNSO’s Pain Management Specialists

If NJ patients are suffering from the symptoms of fibromyalgia, muscle spasms, trigger points, or other painful musculoskeletal or neurological conditions, turn to the highly trained medical team at CNSO. With convenient locations in Jersey City, Morristown, Paramus, West Orange, and Wayne, NJ, Centers for CNSO offers a wide range of pain management treatments, including trigger point injections. The team is standing by to provide relief from pain and regain quality of life. To schedule an appointment, contact Centers for Neurosurgery, Spine & Orthopedics today.