Trigger Point Injections Treatment Near You

When a tight, painful “knot” in a muscle won’t let go — in your neck, shoulders, or back — a trigger point injection can help relax the muscle and quiet the pain. Our physicians offer trigger point injections across Long Island and northern New Jersey, with offices in Plainview, New Hyde Park, and Ronkonkoma, NY, and Clifton, Montville, and Plainfield, NJ.

What trigger point injections treat

A trigger point is a tight, tender knot within a muscle. Press on it and it can hurt right there — and sometimes refer pain to another area. This kind of muscle-knot pain is called myofascial pain. A trigger point injection delivers a small amount of local anesthetic, sometimes combined with a steroid, directly into the knot to help the muscle relax and reduce the pain.

As Cleveland Clinic and Hospital for Special Surgery describe, these injections are used for painful, palpable knots in the muscle tissue of the neck, shoulders, and back. They’re also used for related problems such as tension headaches, myofascial pain syndrome, and muscle pain associated with fibromyalgia.

Are you a candidate?

Trigger point injections may be worth discussing when:

• You have one or more tender muscle knots causing ongoing pain
• The pain hasn’t settled with stretching, therapy, or medication
• Your physician can feel a distinct trigger point on exam
• You want a targeted step alongside physical therapy and activity changes

According to NIH’s StatPearls reference, trigger point injections can be an effective primary or add-on therapy for musculoskeletal pain — but they aren’t right for everyone, and your physician will confirm whether they fit your situation.

What to expect

The procedure is quick and done in-office. Your physician locates the trigger point by feel, cleans and numbs the skin, and inserts a thin needle into the knot to inject the medication. Several trigger points can sometimes be treated in one visit. The whole thing usually takes just a few minutes, and there’s typically no downtime.

Why patients across Long Island and North Jersey choose Empire

Insurance

Coverage varies by plan and by location, and we accept many major insurance plans across our New York and New Jersey offices. The simplest way to know exactly what your plan covers is to call — our team will verify your benefits before your visit, so there are no surprises. Whether you’re on Long Island or in North Jersey, reach out and we’ll walk you through your options.

Frequently asked questions

Do trigger point injections hurt?

The skin is numbed first, so most people tolerate it well. You may feel a brief cramp or twitch as the needle reaches the knot, and some soreness afterward is normal.

Why might I feel worse before better?

Temporary soreness at the injection site for a day or two is common as the muscle settles. Ice and gentle movement usually help, and it typically eases on its own.

How is this different from a cortisone shot?

A trigger point injection targets a specific muscle knot, usually with local anesthetic and sometimes a small amount of steroid. A standard cortisone shot is aimed mainly at reducing inflammation in a joint or tendon. They serve different purposes.

How many can I have at once?

Several trigger points can sometimes be treated in a single visit. Your physician will decide how many is appropriate for you.

What conditions do they help?

Mainly myofascial (muscle-knot) pain in the neck, shoulders, and back, plus related problems like tension headaches, myofascial pain syndrome, and fibromyalgia-related muscle pain.

Who should not get them?

They aren’t right for everyone. Your physician will review your health history and let you know if a trigger point injection is a suitable option for you.