• Home
  • About Us
  • Expertise
  • Opportunities
  • Testimonials
  • Office Tour
  • Chuda SkinCare
  • Contact
  • Locations
  • Videos
  • Pain Management
  • Migraine & Headaches
  • Plastic Surgery
  • Anti-Aging & Cosmetics
  • Migraine Pre-Treatment Questionnaire
  • Blog
  • CoolSculpting
  Elena Ocher Medical

Trigger Points

What is a trigger point?
A trigger point is a portion of the muscle that has become a source of pain and dysfunction. It usually consists of a nodule or band that can be felt by pressing the skin over the muscle. When the trigger point is pressed, it will feel sore and a cause pain which extends to another body part (for example: a trigger point in the buttocks often refers to leg).

What is accomplished by injecting a trigger point?
Injecting a trigger point can help to eliminate it. Without injection, it may last weeks, months or become chronic. Furthermore, if left untreated, a single trigger point can promote the development of other trigger points in nearby muscles.

What is the injection like?
While the trigger point is being injected, you may briefly experience the same pain that has been previously aching. This pain may be quite sharp, but very brief. Immediately afterward, there's often a marked reduction in the typical pain pattern. There may also be more freedom of movement of the involved muscles with less stiffness. After the early decrease in pain, some people go through a brief period of muscle soreness and stiffness, but this usually does not last longer than 24 hours. 2-3 days after your injection, you should notice a decrease in your pain along with increased freedom of movement.

How many times do I need to receive injections?
In general, a series of four injections, 3-7 days apart, is required initially. Based on your response to this, you and your physician will be able to determine the appropriateness of additional injections.

How many trigger points will be injected during a single session?
The first time you receive an injection, your doctor will probably limit the number of trigger points injected to 1-2. This will allow you to become acclimated to the experience, and it will allow both you and your doctor to discover how your muscles respond to the injections. After 3-4 days, based on your response to the first injection(s), you and your doctor can plan how to proceed with any future injections.

Are there any special preparations?
Before you receive a trigger point injection, it is beneficial if you know how to perform exercises to stretch the involved muscles. Then, after the injections, you should immediately perform them once per hour for the remainder of that day.

How long does the effect of the injection last?
The beneficial effect of the injections depends on the adequacy of your overall treatment program, including physical therapy and your regular performance of home exercises. When the injections are done in this context, a single series of injections should provide long-lasting benefit. Some individuals, despite diligent effort to performing the exercises, experience chronic recurrences and require more injections.
​

Are there any side effects?
Overall, this is a procedure with minimal risks, although no invasive procedure is totally risk free. Potential adverse effects include temporary muscle soreness, infection, bleeding, weakness in the injected muscles up to 45 minutes (rare), or partial collapse of the long (extremely rare).

1111 Park Ave., Suite 1G
New York, NY 10128
Phone: 646-678-3676

Fax: 646-669-9953
All Locations
For 24/7 Emergency Call:
(212) 889-4141 - Dr. Carl St. Martin

What Our PATIENTs Are Saying

"Elena Ocher and her team are magic! She and her partner are neurosurgeons -- the rest of her team are licensed Technicians. They are masters of epidermal shots and treatments that instantly work. She is filled with love, sensitivity and knowledge, knowledge, knowledge to help you. Elena works with all the top neurosurgeons and orthopedic specialists at ALL hospitals. I would highly recommend her."
If you are in legitimate pain, I guarantee this is the Doctor you are waiting for. She is a neurosurgeon who knows much more than pain management. You will be heard and you will be helped.

CHUDA SKINCARE

Picture
Learn More

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Expertise
  • Opportunities
  • Testimonials
  • Office Tour
  • Chuda SkinCare
  • Contact
  • Locations
  • Videos
  • Pain Management
  • Migraine & Headaches
  • Plastic Surgery
  • Anti-Aging & Cosmetics
  • Migraine Pre-Treatment Questionnaire
  • Blog
  • CoolSculpting