Trigger Point Injections for Face Pain, Jaw Pain and TMJ
Trigger point injections in the muscles of the jaw, head, and neck can provide effective relief for chronic headaches and TMJ. During the procedure, an anesthetic like lidocaine or mepivacaine is injected into the targeted area, numbing the site and reducing referred pain for a few hours. The true benefit, however, can last from days to months as the needle disrupts painful knots and modifies pain fibers.
Botox Injections for TMJ, Clenching, and Facial Pain
To achieve longer-lasting relief, trigger point injections may be followed by botox treatment. Botox, a neurotoxin, weakens tense muscle fibers by inducing contraction (Soares, 2014) and alters nerve signals that transmit pain. As a result, botox helps relax the trigger point, effectively reducing stimulation of pain receptors and alleviating referred pain such as headaches and TMJ discomfort.