At Ramos Center, we take pride in our diverse range of pain management solutions. Our primary objective is to provide long-lasting solutions for all our patients, regardless of their needs. To this end, we offer Trigger Point Injections (TPI), which are intended to help patients suffering from targeted muscle pain or spasms. These symptoms may arise as a result of a range of conditions, including Fibromyalgia, Myofascial Pain Syndrome, Chronic Pain Syndrome, Acute or Repetitive Injury.
Trigger points can make everyday activities uncomfortable and difficult. They can cause severe neck, shoulder, and back pain and are also linked to debilitating, chronic headaches.
Treatment Trigger point injections can be administered by any trained and certified doctor. The procedure is usually conducted with the patient lying on their side or stomach. The doctor will locate the trigger point and mark the spot accordingly. The area will be numbed with a local anesthetic to ensure patient comfort, and the injection will be administered. A small bandage will then be placed over the injection site. The trigger point injection procedure typically lasts less than 10 minutes.
Medications The medications used in trigger point injections vary based on the patient’s needs. Often, the injection will contain lidocaine (Xylocaine) or Bupivacaine (Marcaine). Corticosteroid may also be mixed with anesthetics, depending on the patient’s requirements.
Side Effects The most common side effect is mild discomfort around the injection site. This can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers such as Tylenol (acetaminophen) or Advil (ibuprofen), as well as heat and ice therapy. This pain is normal and should resolve within a week after the trigger point injection.
If corticosteroid was used in the injection, there is a small risk of developing an indent beneath the skin. This is an uncommon side effect and will not occur when pure anesthetic is used.
Lastly, there are side effects that are extremely rare but can be associated with any treatment that involves an injection.
Bleeding – Injections infrequently cause bleeding. If the patient notices any bleeding through the bandages or have continued to bleed for longer than 30 minutes, it is advised to contact your doctor.
Infection – Infections can be a cause for concern when getting any type of injection. If the patient notices that the injection site is sore, red, oozing, or they have a fever, the doctor should be contacted immediately.
At Ramos Center, we are committed to our patients and providing them with the highest quality treatments for pain management. Our experienced team is educated and up-to-date on all the latest pain management methods. We strive to offer our patients hope for a pain-free tomorrow while providing support and encouragement today! Call us today to schedule an appointment or visit our website to learn more. It is never too late to change your life, come in today and see how we can help!