MENTORSHIP - Trigger Point Injections

• Course open for registration from: Sep 1, 2024, to Jun 30, 2025
• Flexible Dates for Mentorship Determined by Instructor & Participant
• Instructor communicates directly with participant once registration is completed in order to schedule the mentorship

Musculoskeletal pain, primarily of the masticatory muscles, is the most prevalent cause of chronic pain of the orofacial region and Temporomandibular disorders. Examination of these muscles for tenderness to palpation and pain referral may direct the clinician to the source of pain. Palpation may also reveal trigger points, which are hyperirritable sites in muscle taut bands. Provocation of trigger points causes significant discomfort and may refer pain to an adjacent location. Trigger point therapy is a well- recognized treatment that will help patients’ short term and long term.  Some of the patients will respond immediately to trigger point therapy at the first visit. 

In this workshop, Dr. Samim demonstrates how to perform thorough diagnosis and treatment of a long-suffering orofacial pain patient with trigger point injection techniques into the masticatory muscles.   

The course includes an introductory lecture for 2 hours (pre-recording or virtual) and hands-on practice for 3 half days in a hospital setting. This is "one-on-one" comprehensive mentored instruction as you work hands-on your model patient.

Course Objectives

1. To be able to perform a step-by-step comprehensive temporomandibular and head & neck examination
2. Identify trigger points on the face, neck, and shoulders
3. Understand when to use different chemotherapeutics such as sterile saline, lidocaine, and botulinum toxin for differential diagnosis, pain management, and the best short-term and long-term successful therapeutic outcomes
4. Be able to perform trigger point injections or dry needling into the masticatory muscles or other muscles as a source of referred pain to the jaw and face
5. Observe many model patients during the day