You’ve tried a hot soak in the tub with some soothing epsom salt for relief that was sadly just temporary. You’ve tried a heating pad. You took some ibuprofen but know that isn’t a long-term solution. So what do you do when your back feels like it’s SCREAMING at you for someone, ANYONE, to apply some pressure and relieve the tightness?
What is a Muscle Knot?
A muscle is made up of hundreds, or even thousands, of muscle fibers, bundled together and wrapped in a connective tissue covering. Knots (trigger points) develop when these muscle fibers tense. They can form in your back, shoulders, hips, legs, and even your buttocks. And get this, there are TWO types:
- Active – these don’t need pressure to make you squirm. They cause pain whether you’re touching them or not. Lucky you.
- Latent – You don’t feel pain from these trigger points unless you press on them.
I’m sure you can guess what activities can cause the active type of muscle knot:
- Overuse
- Heavy lifting
- Repetitive motion
- Direct injuries such as a break, strain, tear, twist, or strain
- Poor posture
You probably knew that. But did you know that the latent type can be caused by:
- Sitting on your bum too long. That’s right, being a couch potato can be painful.
- Vitamin C, D, B; folic acid or iron deficiencies
- Sleep disturbances
- Chronic stress conditions such as anxiety, depression, and psychological stress trauma
Although the latent type of muscle knot may seem like the lesser of the two evils, they have the potential to develop into the active type. So, don’t ignore them!
Muscle Knot Symptoms
What you are about to read will blow your mind! Just kidding, you already know that a muscle knot may feel lumpy, swollen, or hard and can cause tightness and small contractions, even when the muscle is not being used. But did you know that they may cause aches and pain in groups of muscles and your joints? In some cases, the affected area may be swollen or inflamed. Ouch.
Will My Muscle Knots Go Away on Their Own?
The disappointing answer here is no. But you knew we were going to say that and suggest a remedy! So, let’s talk massage!
Massage Those Muscle Knots Out
Massage is one of the BEST treatments for muscle knots! At Escape, we have three we would highly recommend.
- Deep Tissue Massage – number one on the list…no surprise there. Your massage therapist will use strong and forceful strokes with the specific goal of releasing the muscle tension. This type of massage targets deep layers of tissue and muscles. It’s also the massage method used to treat injury-related muscle damage.
- Swedish Massage – This gentle massage uses long strokes, kneading motions, and circular movements. This is great if you are sensitive to touch or want to combine a muscle knot treatment session with relaxation. Ahhhhh.
- Cupping – vacuum pressure cupping helps to relieve stagnation in the tissues, allowing free circulation and releasing deep muscle tension to increase your well-being and enhance your energy levels. If your muscle knots are the latent type, this might help with that inactivity problem.
We’re ready to massage those knots right out of you, so jump over to our Massage page and choose your treatment! We can’t wait to see you!