What is a trigger point?
A trigger point is a tight, painful knot in a muscle or the surrounding fascia (connective tissue). These knots are tender to the touch and can cause pain locally or in other parts of the body. Trigger points may be:

• Active trigger points – painful even at rest and often cause referred pain elsewhere in the body.

• Latent trigger points – only painful when pressed but may cause stiffness or limited movement.

What causes trigger points?
Trigger points can form when muscles contract repeatedly or remain under stress. Common causes include:

• Repetitive activities (typing, pitching, lifting)

• Direct injuries (falls, sports injuries)

• Poor posture or sustained muscle loading

• Muscle overuse or tension from stress

• Prolonged inactivity

What is a trigger point injection?
Trigger point injections are used when physical therapy, stretching, or massage don’t fully relieve pain. The injection delivers a local anesthetic (like lidocaine), sometimes combined with a corticosteroid, directly into the knotted tissue.

• The anesthetic provides fast pain relief.

• The corticosteroid reduces inflammation and helps the muscle relax.
  Treatment only takes a few minutes, and patients often notice improved pain and mobility shortly after.

Ready to find relief from muscle knots and pain? Book your appointment online or call (973) 241-1338 to schedule trigger point injections at Clifton Physical Therapy in Clifton, NJ. We proudly serve patients from Passaic, Montclair, Bloomfield, Nutley, and across North Jersey.