Trigger point injections

Cogito,
I get short term pain relief from trigger point injections in my SI joints, and in hip muscles and groin muscles, but forgive me I can't remember their names right now. Mine don't last longer than three to four weeks at most.

I hope that you get more relief from yours, and that what you get lasts a while. I get mine every 2 months.

Mindy

I've gotten trigger point injections before by my PCP in her office. I used to get severe muscle spasms in the sides of my back that just wouldn't let loose and hurt like heck. I'd actually feel around until I found the really sore spot then I'd mark myself with a pen before heading to the doctors office. This would save alot of time finding the correct spot for the doctor to inject the cortizone. I've had alot of success with these injections if they hit the right spot but sometimes finding that spot can be hard.

A trigger point injection doesn't require anesthesia. It is just a quick cortizone shot into a sore area or muscle.

Hi Cogito - I am new to the forum but saw your post and thought I would reply.

I have been getting trigger point injections for the last 6 months in the upper and lower back. I started with 6 rounds of prolotherapy to help with lower back and SI joint pain. The injections irritate the area forcing the body to try to heal itself. They can get rather expensive and I had minimal improvement. At the same time I was starting to have upper back muscular pain and was diagnoised with fibro by a pain management doctor. She started doing trigger point injections with lidocaine and an anti-irritant solution to help resolve them. Most doctors don't use cortisone for trigger point injections or else it would break down the muscle tissue. I am told that trigger points need to be injected sometimes up to 10 times before the pain/trigger point actual resolves itself. They never go away but they can go dormate. For some people, they need to stop doing whatever it is that caused the trigger point in the first place. For me, it was using my laptop on the couch and it started with hand pain that eventually moved up in to my back. I have now resolved the hand pain by setting up an ergonomic workspace. I still struggle with the upper trap pain probably because of stress and other things that continue to irritate that area. I have also been seeing an acupuncture MD who does dry needling and I have been getting that done in-between the trigger point injections. It is very painful and not easy to find qualified people who know how to do this. Acupuncture needles are inserted in the knots and the needle is moved around until the muscle stops twitching. I do have to say after at least 10+ treatments between the two that I am getting much better although I am not quite there yet.

My trigger point pain is very specific. I can go over my body and push on each individual one that causes pain or is a knot. To help the doctor, I usually make a small 'X' with a pen on each one so when I go to the appointment they know exactly where to inject. Just a helpful suggestion. If anyone has questions on prolo or trigger point injections let me know. I am a long time pain patient and have tried almost all that is medically or alternatively available out there.

It is now 3 days since I've had injections and I'm pleased. Overall, the pain has been reduced.

One injection worked right away, the others (in the tense trapezius) may have done less, but I've not needed any BT meds since the injection and thus far, just ice and NSAIDs have taken care of the pain.
Situations that typically lead to pain around 5-7 have been brought down to 2-4.

Today, though, is going to be a big test as it is rainy outside and I have taken care of some chores so that I can devote the day to writing...nothing (hopefully) to distract me for the next 7hrs, until my wife returns from work.