Trigger Point Injections

Dr. Gil Center for Back, Neck, and Chronic Pain Relief

Trigger point injections and joint injections are used in several ways to help reduce pain, decrease inflammation, and spasm and improve motion.
Your provider will review with you which injections have specifically been recommended for you, but here is some general information regarding the injections you  may be receiving.

TRIGGER POINT INJECTIONS: are used to break the cycle of spasm that happens in muscle fibers that have been contracted or strained for a period of time. Once the trigger point in the  tissue develops (also known as those “knots” you feel in your neck, mid, or low back) , it will require decreasing the inflammation, stretching, and strengthening to help heal that muscle. The goal is to allow the muscle to regain elasticity and become more relaxed. Our trigger point injections are done without the use of steroids or narcotic medication. You may experience slight numbness at injection site and sometimes some mild discomfort and/or bruising. It is important that you stay well hydrated on treatment days. There are no stated restrictions following a trigger point injection.

JOINT INJECTIONS: These are used to decrease inflammation and pain in the joint spaces. By doing so, we are able to increase mobility through therapy and/or chiropractic care. There are no stated restrictions after these injections. You may resume normal activities immediately after.

KNEE INJECTIONS: Viscosupplementation is prescribed for knees known to have osteoarthritis. This is determined by physical exam and x-rays. It is used to help decrease inflammation in the knee as well as replace the hyaluronic acid that has been worn down over the years. There are no steroids in this injections. It is given weekly for 5 weeks. You may feel some sensations of fullness and/or stiffness after your injection, this is normal. Don’t do any deep knee bending, squatting, or heavy stair climbing (normal home stairs are fine) for 24 hours after your injection. If your knee has pain the night of the injection, use ice as needed to help relieve it.

ALL OF OUR MEDICAL PROCEDURES ARE PERFORMED BY OUR HIGHLY TRAINED AND CREDENTIALED MEDICAL STAFF UNDER DIRECTION OF OUR OVERSIGHT PHYSICIAN.