Trigger Point Injections in

in Plainfield, Romeoville, and Naperville, Illinois

Trigger Point Injections Specialist in Romeoville & Plainfield, IL

At Absolute Integrated, we offer trigger point injection services. This is a shot of medicine that goes into a knot and helps relieve the pain. Call Us today or request an appointment online.

As the name suggests, a trigger point injection, or TPI, is an injection given to a trigger point to reduce pain and induce muscle relaxation. They are used clinically to treat muscular problems, and can help restore range of motion.

Trigger point injections typically use what medicine?

A trigger point injection (TPI) is given for pain management directly into the trigger point. The injection may be an anesthetic such as bupivacaine (Marcaine) or lidocaine (Xylocaine), a corticosteroid (cortisone medication) alone or mixed with lidocaine, or a mixture of anesthetics. Sometimes, no medicine is injected and just a needle alone is inserted into the trigger point. This is referred to as “dry needling” and may also be effective. Pain is relieved and the trigger point is made inactive with this type of injection.

How long do trigger point injections last?

Some patients will experience immediate relief, however it usually takes 24 to 72 hours for the steroid medication to take effect. In some cases, it may take up to 1 week before the maximum benefits are achieved. A trigger injection targets the pain caused by muscular problems. You may continue to require oral medications or other interventional procedures to achieve better pain relief if you do not have pain relief from the trigger point injection. A successful injection will provide the patient with at least 3-6 months of pain relief after the initial series of injections. When the pain returns, you may return for future injections.

A trigger point resolves after one injection. This usually happens if the action that is causing the trigger point is avoided.

Trigger points that arise due to chronic conditions (fibromyalgia and myofascial pain syndrome) keep recurring. In these conditions, trigger point injections need to be given frequently.

The frequency of trigger point injections depends on the type of medicine in the injection. If only anesthetics are injected, then the injections can be taken at intervals of one month. Steroid medications cannot be injected as frequently due to their complications. However, the effect of a steroid in trigger point injections can last from several weeks to several months.

After trigger point injections, you may experience a drastic improvement in your pain and ability to do various activities without the need for taking pain medications for several days or months.

What are some of the side effects of trigger point injections?

Typically, there is some injection site pain and bruising after the procedure and you may initially experience some increase in your pain. It is usually temporary and easily controllable with painkillers. Some patients may experience slight numbing of the skin at the site of the injection. This is also temporary. Bluish discolouration of the injection site and dimpling of the skin may occur, especially if the injection is superficial (not deep). Although hot flushes, feeling sick or having mild abdominal pain are sometimes experienced, there are very few side effects associated with single or occasional use of steroid injections. Control of diabetes may be more difficult and menstrual irregularities may occur. These will settle within a few days. Regular repeated use can lead to an increase in appetite, weight gain, thinning of the bones (osteoporosis), thinning of the skin, eye problems (glaucoma and/or cataract), weakness, depression, rounded face, high blood pressure and water retention. Oral contraceptive pills may increase the level of steroids in the blood.

If you or someone you know is experiencing pain from a trigger point, a TPI could help offer relief. Come to Absolute Integrated, where our professional staff can help you feel better. Contact our office today to get in touch with a specialist. To book an appointment, call us or visit us online!