|
|
What Exactly is a Knotted Muscle?
4/3/2015
If you go to a day spa for a massage, your masseuse may tell you that they feel a knot in your back. This knotted up muscle can cause you a good amount of pain, but fortunately, many can be worked out by a good massage. But what exactly is a knotted up muscle?
When you use your muscles to do anything from walking to running to lifting heavy objects, the muscle fibers tighten up. This is what makes it possible to exert pressure on something or to propel yourself forward. When you’re done moving or engaging in an activity, the fibers release. However, there are times when a muscle simply doesn’t release correctly. This is technically referred to as a myofascial trigger point, but most people refer to it as a knotted up muscle.
Knotted up muscles are very common. Many people experience them fairly regularly, especially if they do a lot of heavy lifting or play sports. A good number of people will have at least one knotted up muscle in their lifetime, and most experience a knot about once a week, sometimes more often. Knotted up muscles can be anywhere from a small dot to a walnut-sized spot.
What causes a knot like this? Experts actually aren’t certain. Some believe that knots occur if you damage your muscles, while others believe they come from over-stimulating a muscle. When whatever the cause is occurs, the brain tries to get the muscle to relax. However, for whatever reason, the signal to relax never reaches the muscle. The tight muscle will start to hurt after a bit, and it can even make other parts of your body hurt.
Knotted up muscles can be dealt with through massage or putting heat on the area. While you can massage the muscles yourself, having a professional work on you is the best way of releasing a knotted up muscle.
View Count: 1848
|