Medically Reviewed By: Dr Bala Veemarajan
Dr Bala Veemarajan is a Consultant in Pain Medicine based at Woodthorpe Hospital in Nottingham who specialises in spinal pain.
View ProfilePersistent muscle knots, tight bands of muscle and painful trigger points can cause ongoing discomfort that affects your work, exercise and everyday activities. When symptoms do not respond to rest, stretching, massage or physiotherapy alone, trigger point injections may help provide targeted relief.
Trigger point injections are designed to treat your pain at its source by delivering medication directly into your affected muscle. They are commonly used for chronic muscle pain, myofascial pain syndrome and other tension-related conditions where tight muscles are contributing to symptoms.
A trigger point injection is a minimally invasive procedure that involves injecting a local anaesthetic, sometimes combined with a steroid, directly into a painful muscle knot known as a trigger point.
Trigger points are areas of tight, contracted muscle that can cause discomfort both at the site of your knot and in other parts of your body through referred pain.
Unlike facet joint injections or epidural injections, which target spinal joints or nerves, trigger point injections are designed specifically to treat muscle tissue. Also known as muscle relaxing injections, they aim is to relax your tight muscle, reduce pain and improve movement.
Trigger point injections may be recommended for a range of conditions involving persistent muscle pain and tension, including:
Myofascial pain syndrome
Chronic muscle tension and muscle knots
Neck and shoulder pain caused by muscular tightness
Certain tension headaches with a muscular component
Fibromyalgia-related muscle pain
Muscle pain that has not responded adequately to physiotherapy or other conservative treatments
For people living with fibromyalgia, trigger point injections may form part of a broader pain management plan. Learn more about our fibromyalgia treatment services.
Trigger point injections are usually carried out as a straightforward outpatient procedure.
During the appointment:
Your consultant will identify the painful trigger point through examination of the affected muscle
The skin is cleaned and prepared
A fine needle is inserted into the trigger point
Medication is injected directly into the muscle area and you may feel some discomfort
The procedure is repeated if multiple trigger points require treatment
This is typically a quick treatment, and most patients return home shortly afterwards.
Most people can return to their normal daily activities on the same day as their trigger point injection.
It is common to experience some trigger point injection side effects such as mild soreness, tenderness or bruising around the injection site for 24 to 48 hours after treatment. This is an expected part of the recovery process and does not usually indicate a complication.
Some patients notice pain relief within a few days, while for others improvement develops more gradually over one to two weeks as the treated muscle relaxes and tension reduces.
Once any initial soreness has settled, gentle movement and stretching are often encouraged as part of your recovery. Your consultant will advise you when it is appropriate to return to exercise, work and other activities.
If your pain continues to worsen beyond the expected recovery period, or you develop symptoms such as increasing redness, swelling or fever, you should contact the hospital or your treating team for advice.
A common question patients ask is, "How long do trigger point injections last?"
The duration of relief varies depending on your underlying condition, the location and severity of your trigger point, and your individual response to treatment. Many patients experience relief for several weeks, while others may benefit for several months.
It's important to understand that trigger point injections are not always a one-off treatment. Some people achieve lasting improvement after a single injection, while others may require repeat injections as part of their broader pain management plan.
Trigger point injections are often most effective when combined with physiotherapy, stretching exercises and rehabilitation, helping address the underlying causes of muscle tension and reducing the likelihood of symptoms returning.
Trigger point injections can help manage persistent muscle pain by targeting painful knots and areas of muscle tension directly.
Potential benefits include:
Reduced localised muscle pain
Relief from referred pain caused by trigger points
Improved range of movement and flexibility
Reduced muscle tightness and tension
Greater ability to participate in physiotherapy and rehabilitation programmes
While trigger point injections can provide meaningful symptom relief, they are usually used as part of a wider treatment plan rather than as a cure for the underlying condition.
At Ramsay Health Care UK, our experienced pain management specialists provide personalised assessment and treatment for chronic muscle pain, myofascial pain syndrome and other musculoskeletal pain conditions.
Before recommending trigger point injections, we'll carry out a thorough assessment to understand the source of your symptoms and develop a treatment plan tailored to your individual needs.
Patients benefit from:
Experienced pain management consultants
Consultant-led care and personalised treatment planning
Access to physiotherapy and wider rehabilitation services
Shorter waiting times than many NHS pathways
Self-pay treatment through our Total Care package
0% finance options available
Acceptance of most major private medical insurance providers
You can learn more about payment options on our Self-Funding Prices page and use our Hospital Finder to locate a Ramsay hospital near you.
Call 0808 223 0500 to book an appointment with one of our pain management specialists, or contact us to discuss your options.
Most side effects are mild and temporary. Common trigger point injection side effects include soreness, bruising, tenderness or minor bleeding at the injection site. Serious complications are uncommon, and your consultant will discuss the potential risks and benefits before treatment.
The type of steroid used, if one is included, depends on your symptoms, medical history and your consultant's clinical judgement. Not all trigger point injections contain a steroid. Your specialist will explain the medication being used and why it has been recommended for your condition.
There is no set number of injections that is suitable for every patient. Some people achieve good results after a single treatment, while others may benefit from a series of injections as part of a longer-term pain management plan. Your consultant will review your response to treatment and advise whether further injections are likely to be beneficial.
Yes. Trigger point injections are often used alongside physiotherapy, stretching exercises, rehabilitation programmes and other pain management treatments. In many cases, reducing muscle pain and tension can help patients engage more effectively with these therapies and achieve better long-term outcomes.
Dr Bala Veemarajan is a Consultant in Pain Medicine based at Woodthorpe Hospital in Nottingham who specialises in spinal pain.
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