Overview
Trigger point injection is a treatment used for muscular abdominal wall pain caused by tight or sensitive areas within muscle fibres. These areas, known as trigger points, can remain contracted and painful and may refer pain to nearby or distant regions of the body.
Trigger point injections deliver medication directly into the affected muscle. This helps release muscle tension, improve local blood flow, and reduce pain signalling. The treatment is often used when muscular abdominal wall pain persists despite physiotherapy, stretching, or other conservative care.
Who this treatment helps
Trigger point injections may be considered for people with:
- Localised muscle pain or tenderness in the abdominal wall
- Referred pain caused by tight muscle bands
- Muscle related abdominal wall pain
- Pain worsened by movement, posture, or muscle tension
- Symptoms that have not improved with physiotherapy alone
A consultation is required to confirm suitability and to ensure the pain is related to muscular trigger points.
What is a trigger point injection
A trigger point injection involves inserting a fine needle directly into the affected muscle band. A small amount of local anaesthetic, sometimes combined with steroid medication, may be injected to help relax the muscle and reduce pain.
The injection is performed by a consultant pain specialist and may be guided by clinical examination or imaging depending on the location of the trigger point.
What to expect during the procedure
- Your consultant reviews the treatment plan and answers any questions
- You are positioned comfortably
- The skin is cleaned and numbed if required
- A fine needle is inserted into the trigger point
- Medication is injected into the muscle
- You are monitored briefly before going home
The procedure usually takes only a few minutes.
After the procedure
After a trigger point injection, temporary soreness at the injection site can occur. Some people experience immediate improvement, while others notice gradual relief over several days.
Your consultant may advise:
- Gentle stretching of the treated muscle
- Avoiding heavy strain for a short period
- Gradual return to normal activity
- Follow up review if symptoms persist
Normal activities can usually be resumed the same day.
Benefits
- May reduce muscular abdominal wall pain and tension
- Can relieve referred muscular pain
- May improve movement and daily comfort
- Minimally invasive procedure
- Quick treatment with short recovery time
- Supports physiotherapy and rehabilitation programmes
Possible risks and side effects
Trigger point injections are generally safe. Possible side effects may include:
- Temporary soreness at the injection site
- Minor bruising
- Short term increase in pain
- Rarely infection
Serious complications are uncommon when the procedure is performed by experienced clinicians.
When to consider other options
If pain persists, your consultant may discuss repeat trigger point injections, nerve targeted injections, physiotherapy or rehabilitation programmes, posture and ergonomic correction, medication review, or a combined pain management approach.
Safety note
Please inform your consultant if you take blood thinning medication, have allergies, active infection, are pregnant, or have had previous reactions to local anaesthetic or injection treatments.
Arrange a consultation to discuss whether trigger point injection may be suitable for managing muscular abdominal wall pain.
You can also explore our abdominal pain treatments, view related procedures such as coeliac plexus block or splanchnic nerve block, or browse all pain treatments.