Can Trigger Point Injections Help My Neck Pain?

Neck pain is a common medical issue, affecting 10-20% of adults at any given time. While most cases improve with rest, better posture, and over-the-counter pain medication, persistent neck pain may require more specialized care.

At Sunshine Spine and Pain Specialists, PLLC, in Sarasota, Florida, our team of interventional pain management specialists regularly prescribes trigger point injections to manage chronic neck pain. 

Keep reading to learn about trigger point injections and how they can help you feel better.

What are trigger points?

Trigger points are tight “knots” of muscle that often form in the upper back, shoulders, or neck. They’re usually caused by repetitive motions, injury, or muscle overuse. They can be worsened by poor posture and muscle imbalances.

You might not notice a trigger point at first, but as the affected muscles tighten, they can cause localized pain that often radiates into surrounding areas.

While some trigger points improve on their own, symptoms that last days or even weeks may require professional treatment.

Understanding trigger point injections

Trigger point injections are a minimally invasive treatment designed to treat myofascial pain — a type of muscle pain that affects both your muscles and the surrounding connective tissues, called fascia. Myofascial pain can occur anywhere in the body, but it commonly affects the upper back, shoulders, and neck.

Each injection contains a local anesthetic to relieve pain, along with a corticosteroid or other medication to reduce inflammation. 

While the relief isn’t permanent, it typically lasts between three weeks and a month, giving your body time to recover and respond to other treatments.

Can trigger point injections help with neck pain?

Yes. Trigger point injections provide a safe, effective, and minimally invasive way to treat neck pain caused by muscle knots or myofascial pain syndrome.

During treatment, we may use ultrasound-guided imaging to guide the needle into the specific group of muscles causing your discomfort. Once the needle is in position, we inject the medication into the affected area. The entire process typically takes less than 15 minutes.

After the medication enters your muscle, it works to relieve muscle stiffness, improve range of motion, and reduce pain. Some people notice immediate pain relief. However, for others, it takes several days. 

Regardless of how you respond, trigger point injections are just one part of a larger care plan. We often recommend additional treatments, like physical therapy, posture correction, and stretching, to support long-lasting results. 

Schedule a trigger point injection consultation today!

Persistent neck pain can make even simple activities, like sitting at a computer or driving, painful. However, trigger point injections can provide lasting relief and may prevent the need for more intensive treatments like surgery. 

To see if you can benefit, request a trigger point injection consultation by calling Sunshine Spine and Pain Specialists, PLLC.