BlogSacroiliac and Trigger Point Injections for Back Pain | NVCPC

Many patients suffering from forms of back pain have sought and found relief from various injection therapies. These treatments include sacroiliac and trigger point injections. What are these treatments and will they work for you?

Back pain is the second most common condition, after the common cold, for which people seek medical attention.

Staggering statistics in the United States about back pain show that it is a real epidemic. Many health professionals have searched for new solutions for individuals who don’t respond to other therapies. These may include the following treatments.

Sacroiliac injections

This procedure consists of an injection of pain relieving medications into the sacroiliac joints that are located on either side of the tailbone and connect it to the pelvis. Most often used with a steroid medication, the injection can help relieve pain and reduce inflammation of this joint. The procedure is done under local anesthetic during an outpatient procedure. The steroid medication typically begins working in a few days and day-to-day activities can be resumed immediately. The procedure is generally safe but, as with all procedures of this nature, there are potential risks. Talk with your doctor about the risks and benefits before determining if this treatment is right for you.

Trigger point injections

Alternately, a trigger point is an area on the body where the muscles have not relaxed causing “knots” that can press on nerves and create irritation and pain. A specialist can inject a steroid medication into these trigger points to relax the muscle and reduce pressure and painful symptoms. Trigger point injections are most often used to treat issues in the arms, legs, neck, and lower back. However, there has also been some research that shows it may be an effective treatment for fibromyalgia, tension headaches, and myofascial pain.

Do you have conditions that may benefit from direct injections to the affected area?

Image by Army Medicine via Flickr