What Are Myofascial Trigger Points?
Trigger points are hyperirritable spots within a taut band of skeletal muscle or fascia. When compressed or irritated, they produce local pain and often a characteristic pattern of referred pain — meaning pain felt at a location remote from the trigger point itself. For example, a trigger point in the trapezius muscle can refer pain up the neck and into the head, mimicking tension headache.
Trigger points develop from muscle overuse, injury, poor posture, psychological stress, or as a result of other pain conditions. Left untreated, they perpetuate pain cycles, restrict movement, and contribute to chronic pain syndromes.
How Trigger Point Injections Work
During a trigger point injection, Dr. Lichtblau inserts a small needle directly into the trigger point. The mechanical disruption of the taut band itself is therapeutic — and the injection may include a local anesthetic (such as lidocaine) to immediately reduce pain and facilitate relaxation of the muscle. In some cases, a dry needling technique is used with no medication at all.
The injection typically causes a brief "twitch" response as the muscle releases — this is a positive sign that the correct structure has been targeted. Patients often notice immediate reduction in local tenderness and improved range of motion following treatment.
Conditions Treated with Trigger Point Injections
- Myofascial pain syndrome — primary or secondary
- Neck pain and tension headaches from cervical trigger points
- Shoulder pain and limited range of motion
- Lower back pain with muscular component
- Hip and gluteal pain with referred symptoms
- Fibromyalgia — reducing local and widespread sensitivity
- Whiplash-associated disorders
- Chronic regional pain syndromes
What to Expect
Trigger point injections are performed in the clinic and take only a few minutes per site. The area is cleaned and the injection delivered with a fine needle. Mild soreness at the injection site is common for 24–48 hours and responds well to ice application and gentle stretching. Most patients benefit from a series of injections combined with therapeutic exercise to prevent trigger point recurrence.
