Myofascial Injections

In the TPI procedure, a health care professional inserts a small needle into the patient’s trigger point. The injection contains a local anesthetic or saline and may include a corticosteroid. With the injection, the trigger point is made inactive, and the pain is alleviated. Usually, a brief course of treatment will result in sustained relief. Injections are given in a doctor’s office and typically take just a few minutes. Several sites may be injected in one visit. If a patient has an allergy to a particular drug, a dry-needle technique (involving no medications) can be used.

How does It help?

TPI treats many muscle groups, especially those in the arms, legs, lower back, and neck. In addition, TPI can be used to treat fibromyalgia and tension headaches. The technique also alleviates myofascial pain syndrome (chronic pain involving tissue that surrounds muscle) that does not respond to other treatments.

Posterior view of male torso showing superficial muscles of back on right side and deep muscles of back on left.  SOURCE: Original art. Used in 7A12049, 7B12049, 5A12049, 83753