Myofascial trigger points, also known as trigger points, are sensitive points in the body, where inflammation occurs accompanied by muscle spasms. Typically, these points are located on the upper back and the shoulders, although in some patients they are also located in the lower back or in the muscles of the limbs.
Recurrent minor injuries or acute traumatic events are the most common causes of pain trigger points.
The doctor establishes the diagnosis by thoroughly reviewing the patient’s medical history and palpating the area of pain to find any muscle knots and reproduce the pain for the patient to confirm.
Patients who suffer from pain trigger points typically complain of localized, persistent pain that frequently restricts the range of motion in the affected muscles. Trigger points frequently coexist with chronic musculoskeletal problems, including:
Here, it’s important to highlight that there are two types of pain trigger points:
Injections in trigger points
It is a minimally invasive technique in which drugs are injected directly into the trigger point, aiming to deactivate the trigger point and relieve pain. Depending on the patient’s response to the technique, the doctor may recommend one or more treatment sessions to administer the injections.
Botox injections for headaches
As mentioned above, pain trigger points are often associated with headaches. In recent years, it has been noted that Botox (botulinum toxin type A) can treat headaches. Research has been conducted on this observation, which points to the use of Botox in the treatment of a variety of headache conditions, including some types of migraine, tension headaches (simple headaches), and chronic persistent headaches.
