One thing that my doctor told me that is really important after needling, is to make sure you dont change the way you do things. Like even if your back hurts, dont change the way you walk, hold yourself up, sit, ect. I was told that is is important to make sure you do everything normally even if it hurts to not overwork other muscles.
I was also told to not take any kind of anti-inflammatory medicine after needling because it may hinder the natural way the muscle needs to heal. I think ibuprofen has anti-inflammatory in it but I am not sure about Tylenol.. Also not sure if that is only for needling and not for injections.
I have tried facet injections a couple times in the past to try and get some relief for disc issues. This did not work for me but I have heard that it does help for some people.
Even if this first round of injections do not work for you, I would not give up on them. At least for me with the needling, it took multiple visits to see results.
I would try and take a hot bath. I got needled today, came right home and got in the bath. This always really helps me.
My doctor didn't recommend this but something else I have been doing is drinking protein shakes. I got GNC brand protein Whey. I mix it with milk and it is really good. I figured that it could only help my muscles.
Good luck and I hope you start to feel some relief!!!

Thanks! Right after I got home, I cooked dinner, cleaned up around the house, took the twins to the park, bathed them, got myself a hot shower, and got up for work today! I don't have the option to rest even if I wanted to. He didn't say anything about putting a hold on my meds, but good to know for next time. The ice pack seemed to help more than anything today, I will try my heating pad once I get home.

I've gone to two different practitioners to get trigger point injections, but I've been a little confused because it wasn't done at all like the procedure I've read about in different books, articles, anecdotes from other DS members. Rather than feeling for where the trigger point is and then injecting directly into the trigger point, I've been getting one injection in each muscle, not necessarily aimed at a knot. So.....I'm a little confused. But, anyway, yes, I had stifness and soreness for two days after each "round." I was also told to not take an anti-inflammatory the day of, but that it would be okay to take one the next day. As far as results I've gotten, well, I might have improvement in one muscle after my last injections. Definitely no improvement in other areas, but again, I'm not sure these were done correctly.

Why does your doctor suspect arthritis--did an MRI indicate degenerative joint disease? Or was it based on a physical exam such as bending backwards causes pain in the spine?

Well, I hope you get some relief from the trigger point injections. And if you don't, I wouldn't assume that trigger point injections don't work--I would be more likely to think that maybe they didn't hit the correct target.

If the doc is not injecting the trigger point that recreates your pain, they are NOT doing trigger point injections, no matter what they call them. Far too many docs could not find the right trigger point if it bit them and have taken no classes, they just figure it is what is being asked for so they do it....
This is the best set of books! http://books.google.com/books?id=sU0XupX7DGsC&printsec=frontcover&dq=myofascial+pain+and+dysfunction&hl=en&ei=xQKcTeOfG9KWtwfxu5DcBw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CD4Q6AEwAA#v=onepage&q&f=false

Travell & Simons' Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction: The Trigger Point Manual This is THE bible!

FAR too much of the time the doc missed! I know a guy that TEACHES docs how to inject, he went once to a clinic that was known for doing TrP injections.... the nurse would ask where it hurt most, mark that area and the doc would come in and inject. The doc had no idea what he was doing.... he was making lots of $$ though.... and blaming the lack of effectiveness on the "fact" that it only works some of the time.... ya..... you can walk into the wall a lot of times before you get through the door way if you are blind and have no idea where the door is...

This is the good teaching program that I know of. I dont know of any others in the US.... http://www.myopainseminars.com/seminars/

Well he had me point out exactly where it hurt, did the injections, and then asked if he missed any spots. I think he hit quite a few because some shots didn't hurt, and then others were just excruciating! My back feels much better today. We'll see how long it lasts though, for the amount of pain I was in for 2 days it better be a while!!!!

Naturegirl, thanks, this is good to know. Through this process of trying to get better, I am definitely starting to see that most doctors/practitioners really don't know what the heck they are doing. I almost feel like grabbing a sewing needle, sterilizing it, and having at it myself (I wouldn't really, of course).