What Are Muscle ‘Knots’ and How Do You Get Rid of Them?
Five takeaways:
- The common muscle knot is technically known as a myofascial trigger point. The fascia is the thin layer of connective tissue that surrounds a muscle. When a muscle takes damage, even just a little, it can cause inflammation that makes it tender to the touch and can limit range of motion. As many of us are likely aware- they can be very uncomfortable!
- While these can be associated with strenuous exercise, you may also notice a muscle knot in your upper back and shoulders if you are consistently hunched over a computer all day.
- So how to get rid of them? The tried-and-true method is to wait them out. You can also try massages, electric stimulation, or even a procedure called dry needling, which injects a thin needle into the trigger point. Each of these methods is meant to break up the tissue and increase blood flow to the area- to decrease the tautness of the fascia.
- There are methods of “self-myofascial release”: using a foam roller or rolling device like a lacrosse ball or softball. Lying on a roller of some kind will allow you to put necessary pressure on the affected area and allow you to control the movement based on your own pain tolerance.
- For those of us at a desk all day, remember that consistent exercise habits and moving throughout the day can help keep knots from developing in your muscles in the first place.
Zachary Gillen from How Stuff Works
Read the whole story.
This site may contain links to articles or other information that may be contained on a third-party website. Advisory Services Network, LLC and MAP Strategic Wealth Advisors are not responsible for and do not control, adopt, or endorse any content contained on any third party website. The information and material contained in linked articles is of a general nature and is intended for educational purposes only. Links to articles do not constitute a recommendation or a solicitation or offer of the purchase or sale of securities.