Trigger Point Therapy care at Life Balance Pain Care

Trigger Point Therapy in Atlanta

Trigger point therapy treats the tender, knotted spots in muscle — called trigger points — that cause aching, stiffness, and pain that can radiate to other areas of the body. At Life Balance Pain Care, we treat these knots with non-surgical, conservative-first options such as hands-on release, dry needling, and trigger point injections that place a local anesthetic directly into the knot to help interrupt the pain cycle and restore movement.

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Signs & symptoms trigger point therapy may help

Trigger point therapy may help if you recognize muscle pain like this — talk with us to find out if it's right for you.

Muscle knots

Deep, aching pain

Tight or stiff muscles

Tender spots when pressed

Referred pain

Reduced range of motion

Neck and shoulder pain

Tension headaches

Low back pain

Hip and piriformis pain

Jaw (TMJ) tension

Post-accident muscle pain

Tap any symptom to find the right care — or search the whole site.

Overview

What is trigger point therapy?

A trigger point is a painful "knot" in a muscle — a small, taut band of fibers that stays contracted and tender to the touch. Pressing on it can cause pain right at the spot or send pain to a seemingly unrelated area, known as referred pain. When these knots become a chronic problem, it's often called myofascial pain syndrome, and it can leave muscles feeling tight, sore, and limited in their range of motion.

Trigger point therapy is a set of targeted treatments designed to release these knots and ease the pain they create. At Life Balance Pain Care, we approach it the way we approach all pain — patient-first and non-surgical whenever possible — combining hands-on care, dry needling, and precise trigger point injections so the muscle can work toward recovery rather than just quieting down for a few days.

Non-surgical first

We start with conservative care and reserve more involved options for when they're truly needed.

Personalized plan

Your care is shaped around your specific trigger points, symptoms, and goals through shared decision-making.

Physician-led care

Treatment is overseen by Dr. Brad S. Bootstaylor, M.D., across three convenient Atlanta locations.

Our Approach

How we treat trigger point pain at Life Balance Pain Care

Evaluation and shared decision-making

We start by listening to your story and examining the affected muscles — feeling for taut bands and tender knots and identifying any patterns of referred pain. Together we review your goals and what's worked or not worked before, so the plan is genuinely yours.

A personalized, conservative-first plan

We build a plan that begins with the least invasive options that fit your situation — which may include hands-on release, stretching, dry needling, or trigger point injections — and we explain why we're recommending each step.

Targeted treatment

We treat the knots directly using a precise technique, adding image guidance where it improves accuracy. Trigger point injections are typically quick and performed in-office, and you can usually return home the same day.

Recovery and follow-up

We guide you on gentle movement, stretching, and avoiding strenuous activity for a few days, then reassess. If pain persists or returns, we adjust your plan and address contributing factors like posture and muscle tension.

Get help with trigger point therapy.

Schedule an evaluation or call our team — most patients are seen quickly across our three Atlanta locations.

Board-certified · Mon–Fri 9am–5pm

Request an Appointment 404-618-6825

Why trigger points form — and how they feel

Trigger points commonly develop when a muscle is overworked or strained — from repetitive motions at work or in hobbies, poor posture, a direct injury, or muscle tension that builds with stress. Inside the knot, muscle fibers stay contracted, which keeps the area irritated and tender. Many people notice a deep, aching or tight pain, a sore spot that hurts when pressed, reduced range of motion, and sometimes pain that travels — like a knot in the upper shoulder that contributes to a headache. Muscle and myofascial pain like this is common, and it's worth having evaluated so the right plan can be built around your symptoms.

What to expect from non-surgical care

Trigger point pain often responds to conservative care, which is where we begin. Hands-on techniques and stretching aim to release the taut band of muscle, while trigger point injections — typically a local anesthetic placed directly into the knot — can help interrupt the pain cycle when conservative steps alone aren't enough. Dry needling, which uses a thin needle to stimulate the knot without injecting medication, is another option. Because we are a pain-management and regenerative-medicine clinic, we look beyond the immediate knot: we use a precise technique, add image guidance where it improves accuracy, and pair treatment with supportive care and movement. Individual results vary, and your plan is reviewed and adjusted with you over time.

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between a trigger point injection and dry needling?

A trigger point injection places medication — usually a local anesthetic — directly into the knot using a thin needle. Dry needling uses a thin needle to stimulate and release the trigger point without injecting any medication. Both target the same muscle knots; which one fits you is decided together during your evaluation.

Does a trigger point injection hurt, and what should I expect afterward?

You may feel a brief sting or a twitch in the muscle as the needle reaches the trigger point, which is a normal sign it's positioned correctly. The procedure is typically quick and done in-office, and most people go home the same day. We usually recommend gentle movement and avoiding strenuous activity for a few days; mild soreness at the site can occur. We'll review what to expect for your specific plan.

What causes trigger points to form?

Trigger points commonly develop from muscle overuse or strain, repetitive motions at work or in hobbies, poor posture, direct muscle injury, and stress-related muscle tension. Inside the knot, muscle fibers stay contracted, which keeps the area tender and irritated.

Is trigger point therapy surgery?

No. Trigger point therapy is non-surgical. It includes hands-on muscle release, stretching, dry needling, and trigger point injections — all consistent with our conservative, surgery-avoiding approach. We reserve more involved options for when conservative care hasn't provided enough relief.

How soon might I feel relief, and how long does it last?

Responses vary from person to person. Some people feel relief within a few days of a trigger point injection, while others need more than one visit or a combination of treatments. Because results differ, we don't promise a specific outcome — we reassess with you at follow-up and adjust your plan as needed.

Do you accept attorney liens for personal-injury cases?

Yes. For personal-injury patients — such as those with whiplash or muscle pain after an accident — Life Balance Pain Care accepts attorney liens. Call 404-618-6825 to discuss your situation and our three Atlanta locations in Midtown, Camp Creek, and Greenbriar.