Muscle pain can become difficult to manage when tight knots repeatedly trigger discomfort, stiffness, and spasms. Trigger point injections are a targeted pain treatment designed to relax these irritated areas and help interrupt the cycle that keeps symptoms returning.
At Freedom Spine & Pain Center, Rajesh K. Sharma, MD, is board-certified in anesthesiology and pain management and fellowship-trained in interventional pain management. Vrunda H. Pandya, MD, is a board-certified anesthesiologist with fellowship training in regional anesthesia.
Their experience helps patients in San Antonio and the Texas Hill Country identify the source of persistent muscle pain and determine whether targeted treatment may improve comfort and mobility.
What Is the Pain-Spasm Cycle?
A strained, overworked, or injured muscle may tighten as a protective response. That tension can reduce normal movement and place additional stress on nearby tissues, causing more pain and continued muscle contraction.
Trigger points are sensitive knots that may form within these tight muscle bands. Pressing on one can cause pain at the site or send discomfort into another area of the body. Without effective treatment, the combination of pain and guarding may continue for weeks or longer.
How Trigger Point Injections Work
Trigger point injections deliver medication directly into the painful muscle knot. The injection may contain a local anesthetic, saline, or another medication selected according to the patient’s needs.
Placing the needle into the trigger point can help release the contracted muscle fibers, while the medication may reduce pain and irritation. The procedure is generally brief and may address several trigger points during one appointment.
What Conditions May Benefit?
This pain treatment may be considered when muscle knots contribute to:
- Neck and shoulder pain
- Lower or upper back discomfort
- Tension-related headaches
- Myofascial pain syndrome
- Pain following muscle strain or repetitive activity
- Limited movement caused by tight muscles
Because muscle pain can have several possible causes, an evaluation is needed before recommending trigger point injections.
What Happens After Treatment?
Some soreness may occur around the injection sites for a short period. As the muscle relaxes, patients may notice less pain, improved flexibility, or greater comfort during movement.
Trigger point injections may be combined with stretching, physical therapy, posture changes, or activity modifications. Addressing both the painful knot and the factors contributing to muscle tension may help support longer-lasting improvement.
Explore Muscle Pain Treatment in San Antonio, TX
Ongoing muscle knots and spasms can interfere with work, sleep, and everyday movement. A personalized evaluation can determine whether trigger point injections may help release tight muscles and improve function.
To explore this targeted pain treatment, schedule a consultation with Freedom Spine & Pain Center by calling 210-920-8945.