The most painless injection is often a subcutaneous (SC) or intramuscular (IM) injection if the skin is stretched firmly before inserting the needle. This technique reduces discomfort by minimizing tissue displacement and pressure on nerve endings. For example, when injecting the arm, stretching the skin on the lateral surface with the thumb and index finger while keeping the other fingers medial to the arm can greatly reduce pain.
While many injections are relatively painless with proper technique, other factors like the size of the needle, the volume of the injected substance, and the individual's sensitivity can influence the pain level.
In addition to proper injection technique, a needle-free device called the J-Tip can be used before an IV procedure to reduce pain by delivering an anesthetic effect within one to two minutes.
