Trigger Point Injections

Trigger point injections offer a safe, minimally invasive way to manage certain types of musculoskeletal pain without surgery. At Serenity Osteopathic, LLC, in Satellite Beach, Florida, board-certified osteopathic neuromusculoskeletal doctor Tiffany Noblitt, DO, regularly administers trigger point injections to people experiencing back, neck, and hip pain. To see if you can benefit, make an appointment today by calling the office or using the online booking feature.

What are trigger point injections?

A trigger point injection is a minimally invasive procedure used to manage myofascial pain. Myofascial pain is a chronic musculoskeletal condition that causes “trigger points,” or tight knots of muscle tissue, to form in various parts of the body. These knots are sensitive to the touch and can make daily activities like changing, bathing, or doing house chores painful.

Trigger point injections may contain a local anesthetic and a corticosteroid or Botox®. When administered into tight knots of muscle, they can help ease pain and support your mobility. 

What types of musculoskeletal issues can trigger point injections help treat?

Dr. Noblitt uses trigger point injections to treat several types of musculoskeletal pain, including:

• Low back pain
• Thoracic spine pain
• Hip pain
• Shoulder pain
• Postsurgical pain
• Post-traumatic pain
• Sciatica

Sometimes, Dr. Noblitt administers trigger point injections to help manage migraines and headaches. 

Who can benefit from trigger point injections?

You may benefit from trigger point injections if you experience frequent musculoskeletal pain or headaches and your symptoms don’t improve with treatments, like pain medication or physical therapy.

Dr. Noblitt typically prescribes trigger point injections alongside hands-on treatment, like osteopathic manual therapy (OMT). This approach helps reduce inflammation at the injection site, so you can move more comfortably and complete the necessary stretches and strengthening exercises to promote healing.

Before recommending trigger point injections, Dr. Noblitt completes a comprehensive physical exam to pinpoint the source of your muscle pain and determine the underlying cause. 

What’s the process for getting a trigger point injection?

Getting a trigger point injection is an outpatient procedure that typically takes 30 to 60 minutes. 

During your appointment, Dr. Noblitt cleans and sterilizes the skin over the injection site. Then, she uses her hands to find specific trigger points (knots of muscle).

After identifying your trigger points, Dr. Noblitt inserts a thin needle into them one by one, administering the injection. Don’t be alarmed if you feel a pinch or if your muscles twitch. She may also perform dry needling at the same time to help enhance the treatment’s pain-relieving benefits.  

Once your injections are complete, Dr. Noblitt applies bandages if necessary and provides recovery instructions. There’s no downtime, so you can return to your daily routine immediately after.

To see if you can benefit from trigger point injections, call Serenity Osteopathic, LLC today or book online.