Trigger Point Injections

What are Trigger Point Injections?

A trigger point injection is a minimally invasive treatment used to relieve muscle pain, tension, and stiffness caused by painful knots within muscle tissue known as trigger points. These tight bands of muscle can develop from injury, overuse, stress, poor posture, repetitive motion, or chronic musculoskeletal conditions.

At Spine and Pain Specialty Care, Dr. Edward Shen performs precision-guided trigger point injections to help patients reduce muscle tension, improve mobility, and achieve long-term pain relief without surgery.

Dr. Edward Shen is a Harvard-educated, double board-certified physician in Pain Medicine and Anesthesiology and serves as Pain Division Chief at Trinitas Regional Medical Center in Elizabeth. He locates each trigger point using ultrasound guidance and careful examination, so the injection reaches the tight band of muscle causing your pain with precision and safety.

Understanding Myofascial Pain

Myofascial pain syndrome is a chronic condition involving sensitive trigger points within tight muscle tissue. These trigger points can cause persistent discomfort and may limit movement and daily activities.

Unlike general muscle soreness, myofascial pain often continues long after an injury or strain has healed. Trigger points may form in one muscle or spread throughout multiple muscle groups over time.

Common Causes of Myofascial Pain

Several conditions and lifestyle factors may contribute to trigger point development, including:

• Muscle overuse
• Sports injuries
• Poor posture
• Stress and muscle tension
• Repetitive motion injuries
• Neck and back strain
• Sedentary lifestyles
• Spinal conditions
• Motor vehicle accidents
• Chronic stress or anxiety

Without treatment, trigger points can continue to tighten and irritate surrounding nerves and tissues.

Symptoms of Trigger Points and Myofascial Pain

Patients with trigger points and myofascial pain may experience a wide range of symptoms affecting daily comfort and mobility.

Common symptoms include:

• Muscle knots or tight bands
• Chronic muscle pain
• Tenderness when pressure is applied
• Pain that radiates into nearby areas
• Neck pain
• Shoulder pain
• Upper back pain
• Lower back pain
• Muscle stiffness
• Reduced range of motion
• Tension headaches
• Pain that worsens with activity or stress

Trigger points are commonly found in the neck, shoulders, upper back, lower back, hips, and legs.

Benefits of Trigger Point Injections

Trigger point injections offer a non-surgical option for relieving chronic muscular pain and restoring movement.

Potential benefits include:

• Reduced muscle tension and spasms
• Relief from chronic muscle pain
• Improved flexibility and mobility
• Increased range of motion
• Faster muscle recovery
• Improved participation in physical therapy
• Reduced frequency of tension headaches
• Better posture and muscle function
• Minimally invasive outpatient treatment
• Improved quality of life

Many patients experience noticeable pain relief shortly after treatment.

Orthopedic Care for Muscle & Myofascial Pain

Trigger point injections are part of the orthopedic and interventional pain care offered at Spine and Pain Specialty Care. Dr. Shen targets the specific muscle knots driving your pain and treats them directly, relaxing the tight band and easing the referred pain it causes, all within our dedicated in-office procedure suite.

When Should You See a NJ Pain Management Specialist?

Persistent muscle pain and tension should not be ignored, especially when symptoms interfere with work, sleep, exercise, or daily activities.

You may benefit from evaluation by a pain management doctor near you if you experience:

• Chronic muscle tightness
• Recurrent muscle spasms
• Persistent neck or back pain
• Painful muscle knots
• Limited mobility
• Pain that has not improved with rest or therapy

As an experienced spine and pain specialist, Dr. Edward Shen provides comprehensive evaluations and personalized treatment plans designed to address the underlying causes of chronic muscular pain.

Serving Patients Across Elizabeth & Union County

Spine and Pain Specialty Care is located in Elizabeth and treats patients from across Union County and the surrounding area, including Linden, Roselle, Roselle Park, Hillside, Union, Cranford, Clark, and Newark. The office is easily reached from Route 1&9, the Garden State Parkway, and the New Jersey Turnpike. Se Habla Espanol – our team supports Spanish-speaking patients throughout their care.

Schedule a Consultation for Trigger Point Injections

At Spine and Pain Specialty Care, we specialize in minimally invasive treatments for myofascial pain and chronic muscular conditions. We accept most commercial insurance plans, PPO, workers’ compensation, no-fault/PIP auto insurance, and slip-and-fall cases.

If you are suffering from chronic muscle pain, muscle spasms, or myofascial pain syndrome, trigger point injections may help relieve discomfort and restore mobility.

Call (908) 818-1600 today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Edward Shen and learn whether a trigger point injection is right for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I be evaluated and treated on the same day?

Often, yes. In many cases Dr. Shen can provide evaluation, diagnosis – including in-office X-ray or ultrasound imaging – and treatment in a single visit, so you can start getting relief without waiting.

How are trigger point injections different from dry needling?

They’re closely related. In both, the needle provides a mechanical release that helps the tight muscle band let go; a trigger point injection adds medication to relax the muscle and calm the pain further. Dr. Shen uses ultrasound guidance so the needle reaches the painful band precisely.

How long does relief from a trigger point injection last?

Relief is individual. The goal is to release the tight band of muscle driving your pain, not just quiet it temporarily. Many patients experience lasting relief, and the injection can be safely repeated if needed.

Can trigger points cause my headaches?

Yes. Tight trigger points in the neck and upper shoulders are a common source of tension headaches. Treating those muscles often reduces how often and how severely the headaches occur.

Do you treat muscle pain from a car accident or work injury?

Yes. Dr. Shen regularly treats muscle and soft-tissue injuries from motor vehicle accidents and work-related incidents, and the practice accepts no-fault/PIP auto insurance and workers’ compensation, handling the documentation these claims require.

Spine and Pain Specialty Care Practice Summary

Practice Name: Spine and Pain Specialty Care
Physician: Dr. Edward Shen, MD
Credentials: Harvard-educated, double board-certified in Pain Medicine and Anesthesiology; Pain Division Chief at Trinitas Regional Medical Center
Location: 219 S. Broad Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07202
Serving: Elizabeth, Union County, and surrounding New Jersey communities
Conditions: Myofascial pain syndrome, muscle knots, chronic neck and back muscle pain, muscle spasms, and tension headaches
Insurance: Most commercial insurance plans, PPO, workers’ compensation, no-fault/PIP auto insurance, and slip-and-fall claims
Languages: English and Spanish (Se Habla Espanol)
Phone: (908) 818-1600