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TRIGGERED
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Trigger point injection course

From anatomy
to clinical practice.

A practical course for GP, emergency and rural physicians managing myofascial pain. Review the anatomy, sharpen patient selection and develop a structured approach to trigger point injections across 25 regions, with three progressive workshop days and a coursebook emailed before each level.

Registration is not yet open. Dates will be announced when confirmed.

Levator scapulae shown at the side of the neck
Gluteus maximus shown over the hip

From assessment to follow-up

A clinical workflow you can use

Learn the decisions around the procedure as well as the procedure itself. Case discussions and supervised practice connect the teaching to everyday physician care.

Learning objectives

  • Review regional anatomy, landmarks and referred pain patterns.
  • Identify a myofascial pain generator, assess alternative diagnoses and recognise red flags.
  • Review pre-treatment care, conservative options, contraindications and patient goals.
  • Discuss expected benefits, alternatives, risks and informed consent.

Treat safely and close the loop

  • Work through technique, injectate principles and common procedural pitfalls.
  • Recognise danger areas, vulnerable structures and when to stop or refer.
  • Know what to look out for during and after treatment, including complications and reassessment.
  • Review documentation requirements and billing principles, with attention to current local rules.

Conditions and clinical presentations

Clinical presentations covered

Trigger point injections may help selected patients with persistent myofascial pain when initial treatment has not provided enough relief. The target is a clinically identified muscle pain source, within a broader plan for movement, rehabilitation and follow-up.

  • Neck and shoulder myofascial pain

    Presentations involving the trapezius, levator scapulae and shoulder girdle muscles.

  • Myofascial back pain

    Persistent regional muscle pain involving the lumbar or thoracic paraspinals and quadratus lumborum.

  • Hip and gluteal myofascial pain

    Muscle-related pain involving the gluteals, with assessment for joint, nerve and spinal causes.

  • Other regional muscle pain

    Selected jaw and limb presentations where examination identifies a myofascial contribution.

Regional pain alone is not an indication for injection. The course teaches how to distinguish a myofascial contribution from other causes and decide when further assessment or referral is needed.

Put the procedure in perspective

A minimally invasive procedure.
Careful clinical decisions.

A trigger point injection uses a thin needle to deliver medication, often local anaesthetic, into a selected muscle trigger point. It is usually an outpatient procedure involving a small needle puncture rather than a surgical incision.

For selected patients, pain relief may help them engage with movement and rehabilitation. Response varies, and the injection forms part of a broader treatment plan.

  1. Assess

    Identify the pain source, review conservative care and check contraindications.

  2. Discuss

    Agree on goals and explain expected benefit, alternatives and risks.

  3. Treat

    Use a targeted, needle-based procedure when clinically appropriate.

  4. Reassess

    Review the response and continue rehabilitation and follow-up.

A small puncture still requires sound anatomical knowledge. Temporary soreness or bruising can occur; bleeding, infection, allergic reactions and injury to nearby structures are possible. Risks vary by location and patient.

Clinical overview: trigger point injections

Curriculum

Start with the foundations, then build your regional knowledge across three levels. Each region connects anatomy and assessment with treatment planning, procedural pitfalls and safety.

Foundations

3 lessons
  1. Orientation, scope and how to use the course
  2. Core technique and injectate principles
  3. Universal safety and complications

Level 1: Common presentations

8 regions
  1. Upper trapezius
  2. Levator scapulae
  3. Lumbar paraspinals
  4. Quadratus lumborum
  5. Gluteus maximus
  6. Gluteus medius and minimus
  7. Infraspinatus
  8. Deltoid

Level 2: Broader regional assessment

10 regions
  1. Rhomboids
  2. Thoracic paraspinals
  3. Supraspinatus
  4. Teres major and minor
  5. Latissimus dorsi
  6. Forearm extensors
  7. Forearm flexors and pronator
  8. Gastrocnemius and soleus
  9. Tensor fasciae latae
  10. Masseter and temporalis

Level 3: Complex anatomy and referral decisions

7 regions
  1. Pectoralis major
  2. Pectoralis minor
  3. Serratus anterior
  4. Subscapularis
  5. Posterior cervical muscles
  6. Sternocleidomastoid
  7. Piriformis

Capstone

1 lesson

Clinical decisions in high-risk regions, including recognition and referral for iliopsoas and scalene presentations. These regions have no injection demonstration.

Build knowledge. Develop confidence.

Coursebooks, case discussions and knowledge assessments support your progress through each level. Completion records educational progress; it does not certify independent procedural competence or extend scope of practice.

Included in the coursebook

  • Lessons and case discussions
  • Handbook and 25 region sheets
  • Knowledge checks with explanations
  • Level assessments and capstone cases

Availability

Clinical review is in preparation. Level 1, 2 and 3 are each a separate Saturday workshop day for 12 physicians. Dates will be published when confirmed.

View the workshop days