Muscle Knots!

What are muscle knots?

Muscle knots also called myofascial trigger points are a common problem for people. These knots can range from the size of a pinhead to the size of your thumb. Muscle knots are sections within a muscle where contracted fibers are unable to release, creating pain. Unable to release means the muscle never relaxes, the muscle is always in a state where it appears to be in active use rather than passive use. Muscle knots can cause pain in two ways: 

1.  Latent trigger points, which are knots that only hurt when you put pressure on them.

2.  Active trigger points, which are knots that actively refer pain along your neural pathways; causing it in non-localized areas. 

What causes muscle knots? The most common causes of muscle knots are:

1. Accidents – acute trauma, such as bad falls and sports injuries that strain your joints and muscles.

2. Postural stress – sitting too long with poor posture, sitting with no support, and lifting improperly.

3. Overstimulation – strenuous exercise and sport activities, especially lifting weights. 

How can I treat muscle knots?                                                                                                        

If you do have a painful knot, you’ll be glad to know it can get treated. You can go see a licensed massage therapist, who can use different techniques to treat the trigger points. You can also do self treatment. Massage yourself with a tennis ball or a foam roller. Just remember whatever you do, muscle knots don’t form over night and won’t go away over night.

Melissa Foster is a licensed massage therapist; she is part of the Wellness team at One.