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Trigger Point Injections
When trigger points are irritated, painful knots in muscle that radiate pain elsewhere. Injections can help by delivering anesthesia to the trigger point itself, providing immediate but temporary relief or a steroid to reduce inflammation in the long term. Though potentially sore, injections allow muscles to relax, restoring range of motion. They may be part of a comprehensive treatment plan, including massage and correcting contributing factors.
What to do with Trigger Point Injections
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Apply heat before injections
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Do light stretching after
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Massage areas after injections
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Use ergonomic equipment and proper posture
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Take over-the-counter pain relievers as needed
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Avoid strenuous activity immediately after injections
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Stay hydrated and get adequate nutrients like magnesium
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Follow-up with your provider if trigger points and pain return
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Consider additional treatments like physical therapy if injections provide only temporary relief
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Adjust lifestyle factors that contribute to trigger points
What are Trigger Point Injections
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Lidocaine anesthetic for pain relief
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Bupivacaine anesthetic for prolonged effect
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Botulinum toxin to inhibit acetylcholine
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Corticosteroid for anti-inflammatory effect
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Sarapin for analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect
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Saline for diagnostic purposes
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Procaine to relieve muscle spasm
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Dry needling to release trigger points
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Stretching and massage after injection
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Posture correction and strengthening exercises
Botox Injections
Botox injections use minimal doses of purified botulinum toxin to prevent muscle contraction temporarily. Effects typically last at least a few months before needing re-injection. Side effects are usually minimal but can include pain, swelling, and bruising at the injection site and temporary paralysis of the treated area. When performed by an experienced provider, Botox can safely and effectively reduce teeth grinding and pain in the muscles and associated structures.
What to do with Botox Injections
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Minimize alcohol before injections
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Avoid strenuous exercise for 24 hours after
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Use sunscreen and avoid direct sun
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Wait at least two weeks after injections before receiving any facial treatments
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Expect mild swelling, redness, and tenderness for a few days afterward
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Do not manipulate or rub the treated areas for a few hours post-injection
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Take over-the-counter pain relievers as needed per your provider's recommendation
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Return for follow-up and repeat treatment every 3+ months to maintain improvements up to 3-4 treatments before a re-evaluation by the doctor is needed.
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Report any post-injection asymmetry in the face or drooping to your provider immediately
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Be patient for full effects, which build up gradually over 1-2 weeks
Tendon Injections
Tendon & Ligament Injections, also called tendonitis injections, can help relieve inflammation and pain from inflammation of the tendon or ligament. A corticosteroid medication is injected directly around the affected tendon to reduce swelling, inflammation, and allow the tendon to heal. Tendon injections may provide rapid pain relief and help avoid surgery.
What are Tendon Injections
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Corticosteroid injection to reduce inflammation
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Platelet-rich plasma PRP) injection to stimulate healing and deliver your own growth factors to the injured site.
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Prolotherapy injection (Dextrose, derived from corn) to promote tissue healing.
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Shockwave therapy to stimulate cell repair (talk to your physical therapist)
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Dry needling to release muscle knots
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Botulinum toxin or trigger point injection to relax muscles
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Surgery as a last resort.
TMJ Injections
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) injections are used to treat pain and improve function in the jaw joint. Often used to make a patient comfortable while the doctor helps guide the jaw bone back onto the disc. A local anesthetic and corticosteroid are injected directly into the TMJ. TMJ injections can provide short-term pain relief and are a minimally invasive treatment option before considering surgery.
Nerve Blocks
Nerve Blocks are used in craniofacial pain to both relieve pain and to diagnose nerve disorders. Nerve blocks temporarily interrupt nerve conduction to a specific branch of a nerve. A local anesthetic is injected around a nerve to numb sensation and block pain signals being sent to the brain. Nerve blocks relieve pain in a specific area before, during, or after surgery without affecting consciousness. Nerve block injections can also include a corticosteroid to reduce inflammation and induce healing to return the nerve to normal function.
Prolotherapy Injections
Prolotherapy involves injecting an irritant solution (corn-derived Dextrose) into joints, ligaments, or tendons to promote tissue growth and strengthening. Prolotherapy stimulates the body's healing response, resulting in the repair of damaged connective tissue. Though controversial, some find prolotherapy effective for treating chronic muscle and joint pain when other treatments have failed.
Dr Hart finds it effective in more chronic cases of muscle and joint pains.
Platelet-rich Plasma Injections
Platelet-rich plasma injections involve injecting a patient's own concentrated platelets stem cells, and blood-borne growth factors to stimulate localized healing and tissue regeneration. Benefits include reduced inflammation, accelerated tissue repair, and avoiding surgery for some orthopedic injuries.
What are Platelet-rich Plasma Injections
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Tendinopathies to repair damaged tendons
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Osteoarthritis to stimulate cartilage growth
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Ligament and tendon sprains to tighten and strengthen tissues
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Muscle strains to accelerate healing
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Joint inflammation reduction through growth factors
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Chronic wound healing through cell stimulation
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Bone healing in fractures or non-unions
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Nerve regeneration for conditions like trigeminal neuralgia