Trigger Point Injection for Trapezius Muscle: A Guide

The trapezius muscles are a pair of adjacent muscles extending from the middle back to the top of the neck. If someone you know experiences chronic back or neck pain in her trapezius muscles, her physician may recommend trigger point injections. You can administer this type of injection designed to relax knots of muscle and relieve pain. This therapy also treats headaches and fibromyalgia.

Things You'll Need

• 10 mL syringe
• 25 G needle
• Lidocaine 0.5%
• Pillow

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Instructions

• 1

  Feel for points of tension, characterized by muscle knots, in the trapezius muscles. These are the trigger points; mark them with a marker or pen.

• 2

  Prepare the syringe with 2 to 3 milliliters of lidocaine 0.5%. Trigger point injections use lidocaine, a local anesthetic, to relax muscles and relieve pain.

• 3

  Lay the patient down on his chest. For comfort and optimal positioning, place a pillow under the individual's chest.

• 4

  Insert the needle through the skin and into a marked trigger point. Inject 2-3 milliliters of lidocaine into the muscle. Remove the syringe.