Targeted Relief for Painful, Tight Muscles

Trigger points are tender, tight areas within a muscle—often described as muscle “knots.” They may develop after an injury, overuse, repetitive movement, poor posture, stress, or prolonged muscle tension.

A trigger point can cause pain directly where the knot is located or produce referred pain, meaning discomfort is felt in another area of the body. Trigger point injections are designed to treat the tight muscle itself and may help relieve pain, reduce muscle tension, and improve movement.

What Is a Trigger Point Injection?

During treatment, a Recharge Clinic provider identifies the painful area of muscle and places a small injection directly into the trigger point.

The injection may contain:

• A local anesthetic to numb the area and help the muscle relax
• An anti-inflammatory medication when medically appropriate
• A combination selected according to the patient and area being treated

The injection itself—and the placement of the needle into the tight muscle band—may help interrupt the pain-and-spasm cycle.

Potential Benefits

Trigger point injections may help:

• Relieve pain caused by tight or irritated muscles
• Release stubborn muscle knots
• Reduce muscle spasms and tension
• Improve flexibility and range of motion
• Make stretching, exercise, massage, or physical therapy more comfortable
• Relieve referred pain coming from a tight muscle

Results vary. Some patients experience relief quickly, while others may need additional treatment or a broader plan addressing the underlying cause of the muscle tension.

Common Treatment Areas

Trigger point injections may be used in muscles of the:

• Neck and shoulders
• Upper and lower back
• Hips and buttocks
• Arms and legs
• Chest wall
• Jaw or other areas of persistent muscular tension

Treatment is based on the location of the actual trigger point—not simply the location where the patient feels pain.

Trigger Point Injections vs. PRP

Although both are injections, they are used for different types of problems.

Trigger Point Injections May Be Preferred When:

• The pain is coming from a tight, tender muscle knot
• The muscle will not relax with stretching or massage
• The goal is to reduce muscle spasm and provide more immediate pain relief
• Pain is limiting movement or participation in physical therapy
• The main problem appears to be muscular rather than inside a joint or tendon

PRP May Be Preferred When:

• The concern involves a joint, tendon, ligament, or other injured soft tissue
• The condition is more chronic than muscular
• The goal is to support the body’s longer-term healing response
• The patient has certain tendon injuries or mild-to-moderate knee osteoarthritis
• Traditional conservative treatment has not provided enough improvement

PRP is prepared from the patient’s own blood and contains concentrated platelets. Current evidence is stronger for certain chronic tendon injuries and some cases of knee osteoarthritis than it is for many other orthopedic conditions.

Sometimes Both May Be Part of the Plan

Not every painful area has only one cause. A patient may have an irritated joint or tendon and surrounding muscles that have tightened in response.

In that situation, a provider may recommend:

• A trigger point injection for the painful muscle tension
• PRP for the underlying joint or tendon concern
• Physical therapy, stretching, massage, or strengthening
• Other treatments based on the diagnosis

The best option depends on whether the pain is primarily coming from the muscle, joint, tendon, ligament, or another structure.

What to Expect

The procedure is performed in the clinic and generally takes only a few minutes. Patients may experience temporary soreness, bruising, numbness, or tenderness at the injection site.

Your provider may recommend gentle movement, stretching, heat or ice, and other aftercare based on the area treated. Trigger point injections often work best as part of a broader plan that also addresses posture, muscle weakness, repetitive strain, injury, or other factors contributing to the tension.

Are Trigger Point Injections Right for You?

A Recharge Clinic provider will evaluate the location and type of pain to determine whether it appears to be coming from a trigger point or another structure.

Schedule a free consultation below to learn whether trigger point injections, PRP, or another treatment may be the best option for your pain.