Conditions

Understanding Trigger Point Pain

Trigger point pain refers to discomfort caused by tight, hyperiritable knots within muscle tissue that can produce local tenderness and referred pain. At Wessex Pain Clinic, our consultant pain specialists provide expert assessment and treatment for trigger point pain across Hampshire, Sussex, Surrey, Dorset, Berkshire, Wiltshire and the South of England, with clinics in Winchester, Southampton, Basingstoke and Chichester.

Trigger points are common in both acute and chronic pain conditions and often develop as a result of muscle overuse, stress, poor posture, injury, or inactivity. They can contribute to widespread pain syndromes such as myofascial pain syndrome and frequently coexist with spinal or joint problems.

Typical symptoms include:

  • Localised muscle tenderness or tightness
  • Deep, aching, or throbbing pain
  • Pain that radiates to another region (referred pain)
  • Muscle stiffness, fatigue, or weakness
  • Headache or jaw pain linked to neck or shoulder trigger points

Trigger point pain can significantly limit movement and quality of life, but with expert assessment and treatment, it is often highly manageable.

Wessex Pain Clinic

How We Diagnose

At Wessex Pain Clinic, diagnosis begins with a detailed clinical history and examination. Our consultants identify painful or tight muscle bands by palpation and map referred pain patterns.

Because muscle pain can mimic nerve or joint pain, specialist assessment ensures an accurate diagnosis and targeted treatment plan.

Wessex Pain Clinic
Lifestyle and Complementary Therapies

Long-term relief depends on correcting the factors that cause or sustain muscle tension. Our physiotherapists and rehabilitation partners provide:

  • Stretching and strengthening programmes
  • Posture correction and ergonomic advice
  • Relaxation, breathing, and body mechanics training


Hydrotherapy can offer a low-impact way to stretch and strengthen muscles without strain.
Our pain psychology team helps patients manage stress and tension that may exacerbate pain, using techniques such as mindfulness and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).

At Wessex Pain Clinic, our consultant-led multidisciplinary model ensures that trigger point pain is addressed from every angle.

Medications
We may recommend:
  •  Anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) to reduce muscle irritation
  • Neuropathic pain agents if nerve hypersensitivity is present
  • Topical treatments (e.g. lidocaine or capsaicin creams) for localised relief
Medication is used alongside physical and procedural therapies for best results.
Interventional Procedures
Our consultants offer precise trigger point injections, using local anaesthetic and corticosteroid to inactivate painful trigger points and relax the muscle. These injections are performed under ultrasound guidance when necessary for accuracy and safety. In chronic or widespread cases, other options include:
  • Dry needling techniques to release muscle tension
  • Botulinum toxin (Botox®) injections for resistant or severe muscle spasm
  • Lidocaine infusions for complex, generalised myofascial pain syndromes
Our approach to trigger point pain is comprehensive and multidisciplinary, combining medical therapy, interventional techniques, physiotherapy, and lifestyle support to restore mobility and comfort.

Treatments at Wessex Pain Clinic

Treatments