Herb & supplement monograph

Trigger Point Therapy Drug Interactions, Uses, Effectiveness, Safety & More

Medically reviewed by ·Updated July 2026
What is this page for?

First and foremost: how Trigger Point Therapy interacts with medications. The heart of this page is the interaction list — every drug Trigger Point Therapy is known to interact with, and how serious each one is.

But these pages have grown well beyond that into a full monograph — what Trigger Point Therapy is, what people use it for and how strong the evidence is, its safety and side effects, and answers to the questions we’re asked most — written and reviewed by the clinical staff at HelloPharmacist. It’s educational information from our licensed clinical databases, not medical advice, and we don’t sell or endorse products. Our editorial policy

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Interaction report

Drugs that interact with Trigger Point Therapy

0 medications have a known interaction with Trigger Point Therapy, graded by severity. Select any drug for the full evidence-based detail.

We don’t currently list any known drug interactions for Trigger Point Therapy. This doesn’t guarantee none exist — always confirm with your pharmacist before combining supplements with your medications.

Read The List Like a Pharmacist

What Severity, Likelihood & Evidence Mean

Severity — How Serious It Can Be

  • Major. Clinically significant; generally best avoided, or used only under direct professional supervision.
  • Moderate. May need monitoring, a dose adjustment, or separating the times you take each one.
  • Minor. Generally not clinically significant, but still worth noting and mentioning to your pharmacist.
  • No known interaction. Checked against our sources with nothing documented — not the same as proven safety.

Likelihood — How Well It’s Documented

  • Likely. Well-controlled human studies have demonstrated the likely existence of this interaction
  • Probable. Interaction has not been documented in well-controlled studies, however, the interaction has been demonstrated in some small human studies or in controlled animal studies in conjunction with multiple case reports.
  • Possible. Interaction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists
  • Unlikely. Interaction has been demonstrated in animal or in lab research but has been shown not to occur in humans.

Where This Data Comes From

  • Interaction records are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database (TRC Healthcare), the same reference used by pharmacists and hospitals.
  • Each drug listed above links to the full report for that exact Trigger Point Therapy combination — clinical detail, likelihood, evidence level, and citations.
  • Content is reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists — see our data sources and editorial standards.
Monograph

Trigger Point Therapy: Uses, Safety & Side Effects

Medically reviewed by · Reviewed July 2026 ·
The bottom line

Trigger Point Therapy is a hands-on (manual) treatment, not a supplement or herb. It targets tight, tender spots in muscles ('trigger points') with pressure or needling to ease pain and stiffness. Some people find real relief, but the research is mixed, so it is best used alongside other care and guided by a qualified provider.

Part used
Not applicable (manual therapy technique)
Common forms
Manual pressure, massage, dry needling, self-massage with tools (foam rollers, massage balls)
People commonly use it for
  • Muscle knots and tightness
  • Neck and back pain
  • Tension headaches
  • Myofascial pain
  • Limited range of motion
  • Sports recovery

Popular and traditional uses — not proof it works. See “Uses & effectiveness” below for the evidence.

Safety at a glance
OverallUse caution

Generally low risk when done by a trained provider, but improper technique can cause bruising or soreness.

PregnancyInsufficient reliable information

Insufficient reliable information available; however, there is no reason to expect safety issues if used appropriately.

Read the full pregnancy detail
BreastfeedingInsufficient reliable information

Insufficient reliable information available; however, there is no reason to expect safety issues if used appropriately.

Read the full breastfeeding detail

Pregnancy & breastfeeding ratings are from Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center). Safety guidance is general; always confirm with your pharmacist or doctor for your situation.

Jump to a section

Overview

Trigger Point Therapy is a type of hands-on (manual) treatment, not a dietary supplement or herb. It focuses on 'trigger points,' which are tight, sensitive knots that can form in muscles. Pressing on these spots can sometimes cause pain that spreads to other areas of the body.

The therapy is usually done by massage therapists, physical therapists, chiropractors, or other trained providers. They may use their fingers, knuckles, or elbows to apply steady pressure, or use a thin needle in a method called dry needling. Some people also try it at home using tools like foam rollers and massage balls.

People most often turn to Trigger Point Therapy for muscle pain, stiffness, and tension in the neck, shoulders, and back.

How it works

The exact way Trigger Point Therapy works is not fully understood. The main idea is that trigger points are tight bands of muscle fibers that stay contracted and can cause pain, reduced blood flow, and limited movement.

Applying pressure or inserting a needle is thought to help the muscle relax, improve blood flow to the area, and reduce pain signals. Some experts believe it may also affect the nervous system's response to pain.

It is important to know that these explanations are based on theory and limited research. Scientists still debate exactly what a trigger point is and how the therapy produces its effects.

Effectiveness

Does Trigger Point Therapy work?

Here’s what the research actually shows for each use — graded by Natural Medicines and reviewed by .

Evidence overview · 15 uses evaluated
2 Possibly effective 13 Insufficient evidence
How to read these evidence grades

Natural Medicines’ 7-point scale. We show each rating’s label word-for-word.

1EffectiveStrong, consistent evidence it works.
2Likely EffectiveGood evidence, though not yet conclusive.
3Possibly EffectiveSome evidence suggests a benefit.
4Possibly IneffectiveSome evidence it may not help.
5Likely IneffectiveFairly strong evidence it doesn’t help.
6IneffectiveStrong evidence it doesn’t work.
7Insufficient Reliable Evidence to RateToo little research to say either way.
Possibly Effective Back pain
Rating & evidence shown verbatim from Natural Medicines

A meta-analysis of the available clinical research in adults with low back pain shows that trigger point dry needling reduces pain and improves functionality by a moderate to large amount when compared with other treatments such as sham needling, other types of needling, and laser therapy. Improvements are maintained for up to 9 weeks. Some clinical research shows that giving neuroreflexotherapeutic therapy, or inserting devices into trigger points, results in immediate and long term pain relief when compared to sham treatment in patients with chronic low back pain. Another clinical study shows that trigger point therapy with injections of lidocaine (with or without a steroid), acupuncture, and acupressure, all produce similar improvements in low back pain. One clinical study shows that both trigger point dry needling and acupuncture administered for 12 weeks reduce pain in elderly patients with low back pain. A single session of dry needling at a latent myofascial trigger point in the gluteus medius muscle of patients with non-specific low back pain is less effective than ischemic compression for reducing pain intensity and increasing the pressure pain threshold immediately after the procedure, but more effective between 48 hours and 1 week after the procedure.

Sources Ref 97854 Ref 28479 Ref 28480 Ref 28481 Ref 112958
Possibly Effective Myofascial pain syndrome
Rating & evidence shown verbatim from Natural Medicines

Most research on the use of trigger point dry needling shows that it can reduce myofascial pain by moderate to large amounts when compared with sham needling. Some research also shows that adding dry needling to active or passive stretching improves myofascial pain more than stretching alone. Some preliminary clinical research on the use of trigger point injections shows that the injection of a local anesthetic reduces myofascial pain to a greater extent than saline or botulinum toxin A.

Sources Ref 97835 Ref 97852 Ref 88590 Ref 97833 Ref 28491 Ref 28486 Ref 28487 Ref 28488
Also studied for 13 conditions — evidence insufficient to rate
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Abdominal pain
Rating & evidence shown verbatim from Natural Medicines

A retrospective evaluation of patients with abdominal wall pain suggests that trigger point injections are associated with pain relief in 77% of patients, and no relief in 23% of patients. The validity of this finding is limited by the retrospective design and the lack of a comparator group.

Sources Ref 28483
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Fibromyalgia
Rating & evidence shown verbatim from Natural Medicines

Preliminary clinical research in adults with fibromyalgia shows that four weekly sessions of trigger point dry needling improves myofascial pain when compared with cross-tape therapy. However, dry needling and cross-tape therapy resulted in similar improvements in spinal mobility.

Sources Ref 97829
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Joint pain
Rating & evidence shown verbatim from Natural Medicines

Preliminary clinical research in adults with greater trochanteric pain syndrome shows that dry needling into trigger points over a 6-week period is as effective as a cortisone shot for reducing pain.

Sources Ref 97828
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Kidney stones (nephrolithiasis)
Rating & evidence shown verbatim from Natural Medicines

Preliminary clinical research in adults with kidney stones shows that a single trigger point injection of lidocaine improves pain when compared to intravenous injection of butylscopolamine and sulpyrine.

Sources Ref 28482
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Migraine headache
Rating & evidence shown verbatim from Natural Medicines

In patients with migraine headache related to a trigger point within the sternocleidomastoid muscle, a small clinical trial shows that receiving three sessions of dry needling over one week at those trigger points reduces the number of days with a headache by 2.1 days and headache duration by about 45% when compared with placebo dry needling. In addition, average headache intensity was reduced from moderate-high to low-moderate and range of motion was improved, with benefits lasting for up to one month. Trigger point therapy has also been compared with conventional treatments. Some preliminary clinical research shows that trigger point dry needling for 17 weeks is as effective as metoprolol 100 mg daily prophylaxis for reducing the frequency of migraine attacks in patients with a history of migraines. Other preliminary clinical research shows that a specific type of trigger point therapy, called positional release therapy, given five times over 2 weeks to patients receiving routine medical therapy for migraine headaches provides more relief than routine therapy alone. Headache frequency, intensity, and duration were reduced by 18%, 29%, and 50%, respectively, over routine therapy alone.

Sources Ref 103559 Ref 28477 Ref 97837
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Muscle strength
Rating & evidence shown verbatim from Natural Medicines

A small clinical study shows that receiving dry needling into trigger points in combination with water pressure massage once weekly for 4 weeks increases quadricep strength and hip flexibility when compared with baseline or no treatment in elite soccer players. However, the effects were small and no different than treatment with a placebo laser and water massage treatment, suggesting that any benefits might be related to a placebo effect.

Sources Ref 97832
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Neck pain
Rating & evidence shown verbatim from Natural Medicines

In patients with non-specific neck pain, preliminary clinical research shows that dry needling at trigger points on the upper trapezius muscle once weekly for 3 weeks reduces pain and improves disability by moderate amounts when compared with baseline. Effects are similar to those following treatment with extracorporeal shock wave therapy. Preliminary clinical research also shows that trigger point dry needling of the neck muscles in 10 treatments over 6 weeks is no more effective for improving neck pain than sham dry needling in patients with chronic whiplash-associated disorders who are also participating in an exercise program. Those receiving dry needling treatment did have a higher rate of pain reduction maintenance at 6 weeks when compared to exercise alone. Preliminary clinical research in patients with acute or chronic mechanical neck pain and receiving physical therapy, shows that trigger point dry needling in various muscles of the cervical and thoracic spine for 7 sessions over 4 weeks is no more effective than sham needling for reducing pain and disability at any time of follow-up, up to one year. A meta-analysis of 6 studies comparing dry needling and lidocaine wet needling of cervical muscles in patients with musculoskeletal neck pain associated with myofascial pain syndrome, shows a greater reduction in pain intensity after 2-4 weeks of follow-up with wet needling than with dry needling, but no difference in pain-related disability, pressure pain thresholds, or cervical lateral flexion between the groups.

Sources Ref 103555 Ref 97838 Ref 112960 Ref 112966
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Osteoarthritis
Rating & evidence shown verbatim from Natural Medicines

Preliminary clinical research in older adults with knee osteoarthritis shows that receiving trigger point dry needling while participating in an exercise program over a 12-week period does not improve pain or functionality when compared with exercise alone. A meta-analysis of low-quality studies using myofascial trigger point dry needling, periosteal stimulation, or intramuscular electrical stimulation for knee osteoarthritis reports conflicting results.

Sources Ref 97827 Ref 113392
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Plantar heel pain
Rating & evidence shown verbatim from Natural Medicines

Preliminary clinical research shows that trigger point dry needling improves plantar heel pain by 12% to 25% more than sham dry needling when used weekly for 6 weeks. A meta-analysis of 6 studies shows that at least 3 sessions of trigger point dry needling reduces pain intensity in the short-term, and pain and related disability in the long-term, when compared with various control groups. However, it is unclear if this is clinically significant given the heterogeneity of the methods and results, and low to moderate quality of the evidence.

Sources Ref 97834 Ref 112964
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Postoperative pain
Rating & evidence shown verbatim from Natural Medicines

Preliminary observational research in females with chest wall pain after mastectomy shows that trigger point injection of a 1:1 mixture of bupivacaine 0.5% and dexamethasone 4 mg/mL produces significant or complete relief of pain for at least 3 months in about 91% of patients after 1 or 2 injections.

Sources Ref 112963
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Shoulder pain
Rating & evidence shown verbatim from Natural Medicines

A large preliminary clinical trial shows that receiving trigger point dry needling three times during personalized physical therapy visits over 5 weeks does not improve pain or function when compared with physical therapy alone in patients with shoulder pain due to rotator cuff tendinopathy or subacromial impingement syndrome. Other preliminary research in patients with subacromial pain syndrome shows that adding trigger point dry needling to an exercise program over 5 weeks does not improve pain when compared with exercise alone. A small, uncontrolled clinical study in patients with adhesive capsulitis of the shoulder joints shows that receiving trigger point dry needling of the shoulder muscles, 6 sessions over 12 days in addition to daily physical therapy, reduces pain intensity and shoulder disability, and increases range of motion and pressure pain threshold when compared with baseline. A meta-analysis of 6 clinical trials of trigger point dry needling for non-traumatic musculoskeletal shoulder pain shows that short-term reductions in pain intensity are not clinically significant, but there might be some improvement in related disability. However, the evidence is low-quality, with heterogeneous methods and results.

Sources Ref 97830 Ref 97831 Ref 112962 Ref 112965
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Stroke
Rating & evidence shown verbatim from Natural Medicines

One small clinical study in adults receiving post-stroke rehabilitation shows that deep trigger point dry needling of the shoulder muscles once weekly for 3 weeks improves shoulder range of motion by a small to moderate amount, but not muscle spasticity, when compared with no dry needling. Another small study in adults receiving post-stroke rehabilitation shows that dry needling at a myofascial trigger point in the hand once weekly for 4 weeks reduces spasticity and improves resting flexion angles of the wrist, thumb, and fingers immediately after the injections, when compared with sham dry needling, but the difference is not significant 4 weeks after needling.

Sources Ref 97836 Ref 113393
Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate Temporomandibular disorders (TMD)
Rating & evidence shown verbatim from Natural Medicines

A meta-analysis of low-quality clinical research shows that short-term trigger point dry needling is no better than sham therapy for pain, although it may modestly increase the pressure pain threshold. Short-term dry needling also has a modest effect on pain intensity when compared with other therapies, such as analgesics or lidocaine injection. However, there was no effect on the pressure pain threshold. When added to exercise and stretching, dry needling or trigger point injection with prilocaine weekly for 3 weeks is no more effective for reducing pain than exercise and stretching alone. More research with long-term follow up is needed.

Sources Ref 103554 Ref 103553

Source & disclaimer. Effectiveness ratings and evidence summaries are provided by Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center) and shown as licensed. Where Natural Medicines hasn’t rated a use, HelloPharmacist’s pharmacists may add their own reviewed rating and evidence (each such entry is labeled). This is educational information, not medical advice — talk with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or changing a supplement.

Safety & precautions

When performed by a trained and licensed provider, Trigger Point Therapy is generally considered low risk. Still, it should be done carefully. Deep pressure or needling done improperly can cause bruising, soreness, or injury.

Tell your provider about any medical conditions before starting. Use extra caution if you have a bleeding disorder, take blood thinners, have an active infection or skin problem at the treatment area, have nerve damage, or have very fragile bones (osteoporosis). Dry needling should only be done by a qualified, licensed practitioner.

Pregnancy: Trigger Point Therapy may be used with care, but always let your provider know you are pregnant so they can avoid certain pressure points and adjust technique. Breastfeeding: There is no special concern, since nothing is taken into the body. As always, check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure.

Side effects

The most common side effects are temporary and mild. These can include soreness, tenderness, or bruising in the treated area for a day or two afterward. Some people feel briefly tired or lightheaded after a session.

With dry needling, there may be minor bleeding, a small bruise, or brief discomfort where the needle goes in. Serious problems are rare but can include infection (with needling), nerve irritation, or, very rarely, injury to deeper tissues if done improperly.

If you have severe pain, lasting numbness, signs of infection, or any reaction that worries you, contact your provider.

Trigger Point Therapy: Reported Adverse Effects

Documented safety reports on Trigger Point Therapy from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database, shown word-for-word from the licensed record.

Reports by condition
Constipation Gastrointestinal

In women with pelvic pain, trigger point therapy with botulinum toxin or saline was reported to cause constipation and, rarely, fecal incontinence. However, as constipation and fecal incontinence are not unusual in women with pelvic pain, the relationship to trigger point therapy is unclear.

  1. Dessie SG, Von Bargen E, Hacker MR, Haviland MJ, Elkadry E. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of onabotulinumtoxin A trigger point injections for myofascial pelvic pain. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2019;221(5):517.e1-517.e9.
Depression Pulmonary/Respiratory

Incorrect placement of the needle during trigger point therapy has been reported to cause pneumothorax or hemopneumothorax. This serious complication can be avoided by refraining from insertion of the needle into an intercostal space. Accidental intrathecal injection has also been reported during an attempt to give a local injection in a superficial trapezius trigger point. In a case of a hemopneumothorax, the hematoma was aspirated, and the bleeding stopped. Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery was used to treat the pneumothorax and partially collapsed lung. In another case, a patient immediately experienced respiratory depression and hemiplegia and required emergency tracheal intubation for ventilatory support. Computed tomography revealed pneumocephalus.

  1. Shafer, N. Pneumothorax following "trigger point" injection. JAMA 1970;213(7):1193.
  2. Genç S, Eneyli MG, Polat O, Oğuz AB, Enön S. Hemopneumothorax After Trigger Point Injection for Fibromyalgia. Altern Ther Health Med. 2020;26(2):62-64.
  3. Nelson, L. S. and Hoffman, R. S. Intrathecal injection: unusual complication of trigger-point injection therapy. Ann Emerg Med 1998;32(4):506-508.
Hypokalemia Neurologic/CNS

A case report describes a 37-year-old male who developed quadriplegia and severe hypokalemia within 12 hours following trigger point injections of bupivacaine and methylprednisolone in the trapezius muscles for neck pain associated with myofascial pain syndrome. He recovered with potassium repletion.

Another case report describes a 24-year-old female who received 8 trigger point injections of lidocaine into the right trapezius muscle for neck and arm pain associated with myofascial pain syndrome, and developed a right-sided ischemic stroke with blurred vision and loss of left arm strength. She made a full recovery over 3 months with aspirin therapy. Ultrasound guidance was not used for the injections and it was hypothesized that an injection made too deeply caused vertebral artery damage.

  1. Sangondimath G, Varma Kalidindi KK, Pandrakula P, Kumar V, Hari Krishan M. An unusual complication of quadriparesis after trigger point injection: a case report. Pain 2021;162(3):711-713.
  2. Tanoglu C, Duman Ilki C, Ersoy A, Yasar H. Trigger Point Injection as a Rare Cause of Ischemic Stroke: A Case Report. Neurologist 2022;27(4):203-205.
Pain Genitourinary

In women with pelvic pain, trigger point therapy with botulinum toxin or saline was reported to cause urinary incontinence and, rarely, urinary retention and urinary tract infection. However, as urinary incontinence, urinary retention, and urinary tract infections are not unusual in women with pelvic pain, the relationship to trigger point therapy is unclear.

  1. Dessie SG, Von Bargen E, Hacker MR, Haviland MJ, Elkadry E. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of onabotulinumtoxin A trigger point injections for myofascial pelvic pain. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2019;221(5):517.e1-517.e9.
DISCLAIMER: This tool is intended for informational purposes only, and should not be interpreted as specific medical advice. Patients should consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about therapies and/or health conditions.

Adverse-effects data: Natural Medicines, Therapeutic Research Center

Dosing

Because Trigger Point Therapy is a hands-on treatment and not a supplement, there is no standardized 'dose.' The number and length of sessions vary based on your condition, your provider's approach, and how you respond.

Many providers start with one or two sessions per week and adjust from there. If you use self-massage tools at home, follow the product instructions and avoid pressing so hard that it causes sharp pain or bruising.

Talk with a qualified provider, pharmacist, or doctor to figure out the right plan for you, especially if your pain is severe or long-lasting.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Trigger Point Therapy & Pregnancy

Insufficient reliable information

Insufficient reliable information available; however, there is no reason to expect safety issues if used appropriately.

Trigger Point Therapy & Breastfeeding

Insufficient reliable information

Insufficient reliable information available; however, there is no reason to expect safety issues if used appropriately.

DISCLAIMER: This tool is intended for informational purposes only, and should not be interpreted as specific medical advice. Patients should consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about therapies and/or health conditions.

© 2026 Therapeutic Research Center

Pregnancy & lactation ratings: Natural Medicines, Therapeutic Research Center

References & further reading

The 44 references that drive our Trigger Point Therapy monograph and interaction data, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Citations with a link open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

  1. Hesse, J., Mogelvang, B., and Simonsen, H. Acupuncture versus metoprolol in migraine prophylaxis: a randomized trial of trigger point inactivation. J Intern Med 1994;235(5):451-456. PubMed
  2. Kovacs, F. M., Abraira, V., Pozo, F., Kleinbaum, D. G., Beltran, J., Mateo, I., Perez, de Ayala, Pena, A., Zea, A., Gonzalez-Lanza, M., and Morillas, L. Local and remote sustained trigger point therapy for exacerbations of chronic low back pain. A randomi DOI
  3. Garvey, T. A., Marks, M. R., and Wiesel, S. W. A prospective, randomized, double-blind evaluation of trigger-point injection therapy for low-back pain. Spine (Phila Pa 1976) 1989;14(9):962-964. PubMed
  4. Itoh, K., Katsumi, Y., and Kitakoji, H. Trigger point acupuncture treatment of chronic low back pain in elderly patients--a blinded RCT. Acupunct Med 2004;22(4):170-177. PubMed
  5. Iguchi, M., Katoh, Y., Koike, H., Hayashi, T., and Nakamura, M. Randomized trial of trigger point injection for renal colic. Int J Urol 2002;9(9):475-479. PubMed
  6. Nazareno, J., Ponich, T., and Gregor, J. Long-term follow-up of trigger point injections for abdominal wall pain. Can J Gastroenterol 2005;19(9):561-565. PubMed
  7. Ferrante, F. M., Bearn, L., Rothrock, R., and King, L. Evidence against trigger point injection technique for the treatment of cervicothoracic myofascial pain with botulinum toxin type A. Anesthesiology 2005;103(2):377-383. PubMed
  8. Iwama, H., Ohmori, S., Kaneko, T., and Watanabe, K. Water-diluted local anesthetic for trigger-point injection in chronic myofascial pain syndrome: evaluation of types of local anesthetic and concentrations in water. Reg Anesth Pain Med 2001;26(4):333-336 DOI
  9. Hameroff, S. R., Crago, B. R., Blitt, C. D., Womble, J., and Kanel, J. Comparison of bupivacaine, etidocaine, and saline for trigger-point therapy. Anesth Analg 1981;60(10):752-755. DOI
  10. Kamanli, A., Kaya, A., Ardicoglu, O., Ozgocmen, S., Zengin, F. O., and Bayik, Y. Comparison of lidocaine injection, botulinum toxin injection, and dry needling to trigger points in myofascial pain syndrome. Rheumatol Int 2005;25(8):604-611. PubMed
  11. Shafer, N. Pneumothorax following "trigger point" injection. JAMA 1970;213(7):1193. DOI
  12. Nelson, L. S. and Hoffman, R. S. Intrathecal injection: unusual complication of trigger-point injection therapy. Ann Emerg Med 1998;32(4):506-508. PubMed
  13. Edwards, J. and Knowles, N. Superficial dry needling and active stretching in the treatment of myofascial pain--a randomised controlled trial. Acupunct Med 2003;21(3):80-86. PubMed
  14. Sánchez-Romero EA, Pecos-Martín D, Calvo-Lobo C, Ochoa-Sáez V, Burgos-Caballero V, Fernández-Carnero J. Effects of dry needling in an exercise program for older adults with knee osteoarthritis: A pilot clinical trial. Medicine
  15. Brennan KL, Allen BC, Maldonado YM. Dry needling versus cortisone injection in the treatment of greater trochanteric pain syndrome: A noninferiority randomized clinical trial. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2017;47(4):232-239. PubMed
Keep reading

This information is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always check with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or combining supplements and medications.

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Trigger Point Therapy: Common Questions

What is Trigger Point Therapy used for, and does it work?
People use Trigger Point Therapy for many reasons, but the evidence varies by use. According to the Natural Medicines database, there is at least some clinical evidence supporting Trigger Point Therapy for Back pain and Myofascial pain syndrome. For most other uses it has been studied for, the evidence is currently insufficient to rate. See the graded list on this page, and always confirm with your pharmacist or doctor.
Does Trigger Point Therapy interact with prescription medications?
We do not currently list any known drug interactions for Trigger Point Therapy. This does not guarantee that none exist, so always confirm with your pharmacist before combining it with your medications.
How are Trigger Point Therapy interactions rated?
Each interaction is graded major, moderate, or minor based on how clinically significant it is and the strength of the evidence behind it. Major interactions are the most serious and are best avoided, or used only under close professional supervision.
Is it safe to take Trigger Point Therapy with my medications?
It depends on the specific medication. Some combinations are fine, while others call for monitoring, timing changes, or should be avoided. Check your exact drug above and confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or changing anything.
Where does this Trigger Point Therapy interaction information come from?
Our interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database — an evidence-graded reference for vitamins, herbs, and supplements — and is reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists, who may add clinical context.
What is Trigger Point Therapy used for?
It is mainly used to relieve muscle knots, stiffness, and pain in areas like the neck, shoulders, and back, as well as tension headaches and myofascial pain.
Is Trigger Point Therapy a supplement or pill?
No. It is a hands-on physical treatment that uses pressure, massage, or a thin needle on tight muscle spots. You do not take anything by mouth.
Does Trigger Point Therapy really work?
Some people get real relief, but the research is mixed and many studies are small. It may help short-term, and it often works best alongside exercise, stretching, and other care.
Is it normal to feel sore afterward?
Yes, mild soreness or tenderness for a day or two is common. If you have severe pain, lasting numbness, or signs of infection after needling, contact your provider.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

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