Trigger point injections are used to relieve pain caused by tight, sensitive muscle knots known as trigger points. At Wessex Pain Clinic, our consultant pain specialists provide expert trigger point injection treatment for patients across Hampshire, Sussex, Surrey, Dorset, Berkshire, Wiltshire and the South of England, with clinics in Winchester, Southampton, Basingstoke and Chichester.
Trigger points develop when muscle fibres remain in a contracted state, often due to injury, poor posture, overuse, or stress. These areas can become chronically tender and may cause aching, burning, or radiating pain.
Your consultant will locate the trigger point through careful examination. A fine needle is then inserted into the tight band of muscle, and local anaesthetic and steroid is injected to relax the fibres and block pain signals.
The injection helps âresetâ the muscle, allowing it to relax and function more normally.
Trigger point injections may be used for:
The injection aims to:
Relief may be rapid and can last from days to weeks, depending on the underlying cause. Repeat injections may be considered if helpful.
This is a quick outpatient procedure, usually taking 10â15 minutes. Youâll be positioned comfortably while the area is cleaned. Your consultant will palpate the muscle to identify the trigger point and insert a fine needle into the affected area.
Most people experience some soreness afterwards, before any benefit.
At Wessex Pain Clinic we find that the best results come from combining medical treatments with active rehabilitation. Procedures are often most effective when paired with physiotherapy, movement-based exercise, and â where appropriate â psychological support. This comprehensive approach addresses both the physical and emotional aspects of pain and supports longer-term improvement.
Results vary between individuals and cannot be guaranteed. Your consultant will discuss whether this procedure is appropriate for you.
At Wessex Pain Clinic, we work as a team and meet regularly to discuss complex, treatment resistant or unusual cases. As such you will often receive the expertise of several pain consultants. We believe that we are one of very few pain clinics to offer this.
Driving advice: You should not drive that day if receiving any sedation. Our procedures do vary on whether they are possible to drive home from yourself, please seek advice from your consultant about driving advice. If you are seeing us for an injection and planning on driving, please check with us beforehand about whether it will be possible to drive yourself home afterwards.
Wessex Pain Clinic provides consultant-led assessment and treatment for acute and chronic pain conditions. Our multidisciplinary team includes Consultant Pain Specialists, Physiotherapists and Psychologists, offering evidence-based interventions alongside rehabilitation and self-management support. We welcome patients from across Hampshire, Dorset, Wiltshire, Surrey and Sussex, including Winchester, Basingstoke, Southampton, Portsmouth, and Chichester â with both in-clinic appointments and remote consultations available across the wider Wessex region.
Our friendly team is on hand to support you every step of the way. Please get in touch at any time.
