What Are Trigger Point Injection?
As its name suggests, trigger point injection is a method of treatment that requires the use of medicated injection directly into trigger points. Trigger points are knots in the muscles which are painful when under applied pressure. In addition, they can produce referred pain in surrounding areas even in the absence of applied pressure. Trigger points are common in fibromyalgia patients who also suffers from Myofascial Pain Syndrome (MPS).
Trigger point injection for fibromyalgia play an important role in alleviating pain. When injections are applied into the painful trigger points, the muscles knots loosen. Hence, pain caused by the muscle knots will be reduced and you will gain flexibility in your muscles. The medications injected are anesthetics or corticoids. Both medications help muscles relax, thereby reducing pain and stiffness.
Types of Trigger Point Injection For Fibromyalgia
The trigger point injection for fibromyalgia are available in two major types. The difference between the two lies in how the trigger points are being located.
The first type involves physically searching and massaging the body to find where the knots are. This requires a longer time, however, the time taken would be worth it when you feel its effectiveness.
The other type of the trigger point injection makes use of imaging in determining the trigger point areas. This type is no doubt more accurate since the imaging will show the doctor where the exact knots are. Therefore this allows the physician to apply the medication right into the knots. Although both methods of trigger point injections are effective, the imaging is the more reliable option.
