What Are Trigger Point Injections?
Trigger points are small knots or bands in your muscles that are sensitive to the touch. They can develop when muscle fibers become overworked or strained and are often connected with conditions such as myofascial pain syndrome, tension headaches, and muscle injuries.
We treat trigger points at the Center for Regenerative Sports & Spine Care using a combination of physical therapy and trigger point injections, a noninvasive approach that involves delivering local anesthetic, saline, or a combination of both directly into the muscle to help it relax. By targeting the exact area of tension, trigger point injections can help disrupt the cycle of muscle contraction and tension that leads to myofascial pain. Along with stretching, physical therapy, and posture correction, these injections can help support longer-term improvement in the affected muscle.
If you regularly struggle with tension, decreased mobility, or pain triggered by specific muscle knots, schedule a consultation with Dr. Mairin Jerome at our Atlanta, GA practice to learn how trigger point injections can help relieve your discomfort at the source.
How Are Trigger Point Injections Performed?
Before developing your trigger point therapy plan, Dr. Jerome will meet with you to discuss your symptoms, identify the source of the pain, and learn more about lifestyle factors (such as stress, posture, or daily habits) that might be causing the muscles to knot. From there, she'll help you determine if injections are the most appropriate course of treatment.
Trigger point injections typically take only a few minutes to complete. After preparing the injection, Dr. Jerome will carefully administer it to the target muscle, using x-ray or ultrasound imaging if needed to guide the procedure. The injections contain a blend of corticosteroid, anesthetic, and/or saline to relieve pain and encourage the muscle knot to loosen.
While most patients experience relief shortly after their appointment, we usually recommend multiple trigger point treatments at our Atlanta, GA practice for optimal results. In addition to injections, Dr. Jerome may recommend stretches and exercises you can do at home to help keep your muscles relaxed and prevent pain from recurring.
What Are the Benefits of Trigger Point Injections?
Trigger points might be small, but the pain they cause can often radiate throughout the body or even lead to issues like frequent headaches, numbness, or jaw pain. Trigger point injections can provide the relief you need to properly move the muscle and carry on with physical therapy. The benefits of trigger point injections at the Center for Regenerative Sports & Spine Care include:
- Releasing tight muscle knots that are contributing to persistent discomfort
- Reducing localized pain as well as pain that radiates from trigger points
- Allowing affected muscles to relax more fully
- Improving range of motion in areas restricted by muscle tightness
- Restoring more natural movement without guarding or compensation
- Increasing blood flow to overworked or irritated muscle tissue
- Interrupting the cycle of muscle spasms and pain
- Providing targeted relief in specific problem areas
- Supporting better results when combined with stretching or physical therapy
Center for Regenerative Sports & Spine Care Reviews
Dr Jerome is incredibly thorough and knowledgeable! She took time to speak with me about all treatment options and how to eliminate my pain. She not only got me moving again, she got my life back! I highly, unequivocally recommend Dr Jerome!
I met with Dr. Jerome after experiencing difficulties with stiffness in my back and legs which was creating difficulty walking. Prior to meeting with Dr. Jerome I met with several doctors including a Neurologist who diagnosed me with spinal stenosis and suggested trying some PT but was told there wasn't anything that could be done and this will be your new normal. I had a friend recommend seeing Dr. Jerome for a second opinion after the success he saw with his daughters and wife who had their own issues and their success. Dr. Jerome met with me and spent well over an hour evaluating my X-Rays and MRI's and determined the root cause and said that there wasn't any reason for my issues to be my new normal! She conducted 2 surgeries using my own blood platelets which improved my mobility and my life drastically! During that same evolution she identified an issue with my hip which had deteriorated and was developing bone spurs (no other doctor caught or identified that issue) she said that the damaged hip was beyond anything she could do to repair and suggested seeing a surgeon for a 2nd opinion. She was right and I recently had my hip replaced! In closing I have to say that in my 58 years of life I have never met with a doctor who spent as much time and focus with me in order to try and improve my circumstances and my life. Dr. Jerome in my opinion is the best doctor I have ever interacted with! I would highly recommend her to any friend, family member, or anyone for that matter! Any patient with the good fortune of having Dr. Jerome in their corner will be blessed with someone who truly cares for them and is the best at what she does! Forever grateful! Rob Edgeton West Des Moines, IA.
On Feb 20, 2023, I had my first appointment with Dr Mairin Jerome at Regenexx in Des Moines IA and on March 27, 2023. I was impressed by her inquiries into my health, she examined my knee, finding the pain areas with her hands and used a ultra sound to get a better idea of my knee. (It was so very different then my Ortho physician who took x-rays and stood across the room and told me I needed two complete knee replacements and when did I want to schedule it, I felt like I’d been hit by a 2 x 4). I had platelets a prolotherapy injection; into my R knee and lower back. I was amazed after two days I had low to no pain, I only used only two pain pills. I was told what every step of the procedure was and asked if I understood, Dr Jerome called that evening to check on how I was doing, I felt supported and she knew what was going on with my PT on my follow up visit. Dr Jerome went above and beyond what she needed to do to make me comfortable. On Sept 20, 2023 I had a stem cell procedure done on my L knee and it went as easily as the first procedure. There were extra stem cells so she put them into my L hip, sweet! Again, I feel Dr Jerome took that extra measure of patient care. I am sensitive to medications and usually take half of what is prescribed, she ‘listens’ and prescribed my pain meds in a smaller dose so that I didn’t have to deal with breaking pills up. For me it’s the little gestures that make a doctor great. Dr Jerome is an excellent doctor, I and many others in Des Moines, will miss her as she goes back east to practice. Kathleen McLean (age 73)
Dr. Jerome got to the root of my issues was able to treat my spine comprehensibly. Enjoyed her humor and patience with my veins! Very sad to see her leave Des Moines!
Dr. Jerome is very professional, attentive and caring. She takes the time to listen not only with her ears but her eyes and heart as well. She noted symptoms I didn't realize I had. She provided personal follow-ups, not just relying on her staff, and supplied emotional support when I felt my issues were crashing down around me. There are not enough words to properly thank you, Dr. Jerome, for all you have done for my knees, back, neck and hands.
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Relieve Uncomfortable Muscle Knots
Trigger point therapy is just one of the injectable pain treatments offered at the Center for Regenerative Sports & Spine Care for patients in the Atlanta, GA area. With dedicated care and guidance from Dr. Jerome and our team, you can reduce the impact of chronic tension on your daily life. Schedule an appointment today to learn how we can help you manage muscle pain more effectively.