What are trigger point injections?

Myofascial triggers points are taut areas of muscle that can lead to pressure-sensitive areas and muscle pain. Muscle pain involving the neck and shoulders can often be symptoms in patients with migraine, tension-type, cervicogenic, and post-traumatic headaches. Muscle pain can also be common in patients with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. 



Trigger point injections (TPIs) are a minimally invasive procedure that can be safely performed in the clinic. Anesthetic, such as lidocaine or bupivacaine, is injected into the shoulder and neck muscles with the goal of providing headache pain-relief or headache pain-freedom. 

When performed safely by a trained specialist, TPIs can reduce the frequency and intensity of headache disorders. TPIs may also be used in combination with nerve block injections around the face and head for the management of migraine headache.