Muscle knots, also referred to as myofascial trigger points, are described as abnormal areas in the muscle, according to Seth Rosenbaum, M.D. Muscle knots often form when the muscle is experiencing a spasm. A muscle spasm occurs when a muscle is...
Muscle knots, or myofascial trigger points, are related to a host of ailments that cause recurring pain and discomfort. Mainstream and alternative treatments provide relief from muscle knots. Regular yoga sessions are often encouraged as a...
Muscle knots in your back can be painful, especially if they are big and aren't going away. Some knots may cause mild discomfort, while others may affect your ability to sleep, work and move. According to a 2002 article published in the journal...
Muscle knots and aches occur for many reasons: long or intense workouts, sitting too long and improperly at an office desk, daily chores such as cleaning the house, lifting heavy objects or working in the yard. Once you feel pain, it is best to...
Although lack of exercise, stress, poor posture and repetitive work habits could all be culprits in neck muscle knotting, you might consider your nutritional intake as well. With the decline of vitamin and mineral content in foods due to growing...
Your shoulder area consists of many muscles involved in stabilizing the shoulder girdle. Muscle spasms in your shoulder area are painful and may refer pain to other parts of your body, such as your neck, arms, head and hands. The knotted muscles...
If you just finished an intense workout and your muscles are feeling tight and sore, it may not be a result of the exercises. Instead, you may have adhesions -- commonly referred to as knots or trigger points -- in the muscles. The knots are found...
Anxiety is a feeling that has a good and a bad side to it. The feeling can be used to motivate you and respond to dangerous situations appropriately, but when your anxiety gets to a very high level, it can cause a major disruption in your daily...
Knots in a muscle are the result of an injury that causes muscle spasms. If the spasm is not treated, it goes on to form knots in the muscle. As you move around during the day, muscles cycle on and off with different movements. An untreated spasm...
A killer shoulder workout can sometimes plague shoulders with small, thick knots, also called trigger points. Your body, thinking the area is injured, produces these knots to protect itself. The knots restrict movement that can lead to further...
Muscle knots can form in your neck as a result of tension or inflammation in your neck or shoulder muscles. Your neck may feel tight and difficult to move. In most cases, knots aren't a cause for major concern, though they can cause you a...
A large roll of foam about half of an adult's height looks seemingly useless until it's rolled down your IT band, piriformis, hamstrings, calves, and upper back. Though the foam roller may cause pain on sore spots and knots throughout your body,...
A lump in any area of the body can spark fears about cancer and chronic illness. In most cases, however, a knot on the outer thigh is a myofascial trigger point. These trigger points are normally caused by lifestyle factors and are not dangerous....
Massage has been used for thousands of years as a healing technique for the body and the mind. Ancient medical textbooks found in Egypt show and describe massage therapy procedures for physicians to use on ailing patients. Massage therapy was...
Foam rollers are 6-inch wide cylinders of foam that you sit or lie on to apply direct pressure to muscle knots. Although you do not directly roll joints such as the knees, you can foam roll the muscles that attach to the knees to maintain...
Basketball is a demanding sport that can take a toll on a player's body. Although basketball players are often concerned with maximizing energy and preventing injuries to their legs, the repetitive motions of dribbling and shooting can cause pain...
Massage is one of the most commonly used forms of complementary alternative medicine in the United States. In fact, in 2007 alone, an estimated 18 million adults in the United States used massage services, according to the National Health...
You use muscles in your feet and calves all the time in daily life, whether you're consciously aware of it or not. Your feet and calves help support your body during activities like standing, walking and climbing stairs and can become even more...
A physio or massage foam roller is a simple, cylinder-shaped piece of foam a couple of feet long that is designed for the purpose of self-massage. Foam rolling can relieve muscle knots and the stress in your body. Just as in traditional massage,...
Using a foam roller on different parts of your body is an effective way to perform self-massage and release muscle knots. Investing in an inexpensive foam roller can save you a lot of money on therapist visits with many of the same results. The...
The human back is an array of large and important muscles that are relatively uninterrupted by bones, joints and organs. Since the human musculature is something like a system of interlocked rubber bands, one damaged or weakened back muscle can...
Over-the-counter pain relievers are often successful in treating the pain of fibromyalgia. Ibuprofen and acetaminophen are both good choices. Your doctor may prescribe a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) for pain that is more intense....
A foam roller is a cylindrical tube made from very dense foam, which can range in length from 12 to 36 inches. They prove useful for self-myofascial release, a massage technique designed to loosen up tight soft tissue in the body. When done...
Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils to promote relaxation, healing and a feeling of well-being. It's an effective treatment for a number of muscle conditions, from sprains and strains to inflammation and swelling. It can also be used to...
Although a massage therapist could probably squash that shoulder knot for you, sometimes that is not an option. Just 20 minutes a day may be all the time you need to heat up, stretch and roll out those shoulder knots. Painful knots in the...
A deep tissue massage varies greatly from a Swedish or sports massage. While the goal of a Swedish massage is to use long strokes to relax you, a deep tissue massage uses forceful, deep strokes in order to work deeper muscles and connective...
Your friend wants you to give him a full massage so he can get rid of some of the stress he is feeling. You can massage all areas of his body, concentrating on relieving some of the physical stress and any muscle knots in his back, neck or...
Foam rollers are tools used for stretching and strengthening. Whole foam rollers are cylindrical and come in various sizes, such as 6 inches in diameter by 3 feet in length. Use the foam roller on your back to increase mobility of the spine, to...
Everyone suffers from a tight, tense or painful neck from time to time. If you spend a lot of time hunched over in front of your computer, driving in your car or experience inordinate amounts of stress, you may suffer from neck and back pain,...
Learn about different trigger points for massage in this free video clip on holistic medicine and chiropractics.
Learn about different trigger points for massage in this free video clip on holistic medicine and chiropractics.
