Living with Fibromyalgia: Can Trigger Point Injections Provide Relief?

Millions of Americans have fibromyalgia, a chronic pain condition that causes widespread discomfort along with painful muscle “knots.” While there’s no cure for fibromyalgia, it can be managed with a multifaceted approach to care, including trigger point injections focused on releasing those painful knots.

At Advanced Spine and Pain Center, our team knows the challenges faced by our patients with fibromyalgia. We make it our mission to develop fibromyalgia treatment plans focused on helping each person find relief for painful symptoms. Here, learn how trigger point injections help relieve fibromyalgia pain and what to expect during treatment.

Understanding fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder that causes widespread pain and tenderness. Although fibromyalgia can affect anyone, it’s more common among women, and it begins most often during middle age.

Researchers don’t know what causes fibromyalgia, but they believe it involves an unusually sensitive pain response in the nerve pathways responsible for transmitting sensory signals to the brain. Because the condition runs in families, researchers believe there may also be a genetic component involved. Medical issues, like autoimmune diseases, migraines, or depression, may also play roles.

Fibromyalgia tends to be associated with “flare-ups” when symptoms worsen, and those symptoms can vary from one person to another. 

Some of the most recognizable symptoms include: 

• Widespread pain or aching
• Focused areas of muscle pain or tenderness
• Joint pain
• Extreme or persistent fatigue
• Problems with concentration or memory (brain fog)
• Sleep problems

There’s no cure for fibromyalgia, but the good news is that there are ways to manage it, including trigger point injections to target tight, painful muscles called trigger points.

How trigger point injections can help

Trigger points are a common symptom of fibromyalgia. They form when small areas of muscle tighten or spasm and cause localized pain. As muscle fibers tighten, they irritate neighboring nerves, leading to widespread discomfort in other areas of the body.

Trigger point injections target muscle knots, delivering a combination of anesthetics and corticosteroids. These injections rapidly relax muscle spasms and reduce inflammation and irritation, reducing local pain and widespread discomfort.

Trigger point injections can be an excellent choice for relieving fibromyalgia symptoms because each injection takes just a few moments, making it easier to manage symptoms regularly. Plus, injections can be repeated for long-term relief and a better quality of life.

Trigger point injections can be used on their own or in combination with other therapies, including oral medications, physical therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy. Our team works closely with you to tailor a comprehensive pain management program designed to provide you with maximum relief for painful fibromyalgia symptoms.

Find relief for your fibromyalgia symptoms

Fibromyalgia can be challenging to manage, and without proper medical treatment, it can take a huge toll on your health and your life. To learn more about trigger point injections and other therapies that can help relieve your symptoms, book an appointment online or over the phone with the team at our three locations in San Antonio, Texas, today.