Changepain

Trigger Point Injections
What are Trigger Point Injections?

Many chronic pain patients have pain, tightness, or stiffness that arises from distortion of soft tissues. Soft tissues include muscles and connective tissue, like fascia. Fascia connects our skin, muscles, nerves, and bones together throughout our bodies. 

Trigger point injections (TPI) can improve pain and function by making changes in these soft tissues. Commonly, pain arises from multiple trigger points in our soft tissues which can be anywhere on the body.

How will I know if it will help?

A changepain TPI doctor needs to assess you first and may recommend trialling the procedure if he or she thinks it may help you. The first few treatments are often a test to see if you respond.

How much does it cost?

Trigger Point Injections are covered by MSP. There is no charge to the patient.

Trigger Point Injections (TPI) FAQs

TPI involves a needle inserted through the skin into the contracted or dense soft tissues. The needle stimulates soft tissues, which can restore its function to reduce pain and improve mobility.  

 

At changepain, we use a tiny amount of 0.9% saline solution (salt water) or a local anaesthetic in our trigger point injections. It is the accuracy of the injection location that makes the treatment effective and not the medication used.

The assessment will involve a review of your medical history and pain history with a focus on injuries that you have experienced in your lifetime. Following this, we look at your mobility, which can direct our attention to potential areas to treat.


Each treatment involves multiple needle insertions. Typically, areas which are contributing to your pain will be more painful to treat than areas that are not. Interestingly, where we treat is often not where you feel the pain. It is all connected! A trial series of treatment is typically 5 sessions booked roughly 2 weeks apart.  

Pain relief can be short term or long term and depends on the areas treated in each session, the severity of the pain problem, and appropriate aftercare. 

 

With Trigger Point Injections, many patients find reduction in pain and an improvement in daily function and movement.

 

Chronic pain is a difficult problem to resolve completely. You may need additional TPI treatments or a combination of other therapies to make the results the best they can be. Usually, attention to a healthy lifestyle, stress reduction and any other contributors to chronic pain will help to maximize the ability for success with TPI.    

Risks mainly depend on the injected areas. For example, pneumothorax in the chest, significant bleeding in the groin or neck.

  • small amount of bleeding at the site of needle insertion
  • bruising that can be visible for several days
  • temporary flare up of pain or general soreness
  • fatigue
  • nausea
  • light-headedness
  • infection

Your TPI doctor will discuss these general risks and these possible side effects

 

Very rare side effects include the needle entering an unintended structure such as a large blood vessel, nerve, or organ. These are very unlikely. Our TPI doctors are trained in anatomy and experienced with accurate needling; they work hard to minimize these risks.

Ask your Medical Doctor or Nurse Practitioner for a referral to have a consultation with one of our Pain Specialists.

GALLERY

Cost of Initial Assessments - Non-MSP Medical


Private Medical Consultation (PMC) Multidisciplinary Private Assessment (MDPA)
Description Expedited, focused assessment to determine fit for non-MSP covered services requested:
IV Lidocaine Infusion, Ketamine Therapies, Prolotherapy, BOTOX, Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP).
Comprehensive functional and medical assessment with a multidisciplinary report addressing the biopsychosocial issues identified.
Care Team Pain Specialist Pain Specialist
Functional Movement Specialist
Duration 30 minutes 2 hours
Cost $450.00 $3,500.00

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Cost of Initial Assessments - Allied Health


Assessment Duration Cost
Chiropractic Initial 60 minutes $165.00
Physiotherapy Initial 60 minutes $160.00
Kinesiology Initial 45 minutes $90.00 (+ tax)
Counselling Initial 90 minutes $250.00
Acupuncture Initial 45 minutes $140.00
Ketamine Counselling Initial for Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy 60 minutes $250.00

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