What are muscle knots?
Muscle knots or myofascial trigger points are a common phenomenon that many people complain about. Essentially, muscle knots are areas within the different muscles of the body that cause consistent pain. A muscle spasm or muscle constriction keeps the muscles work continuously. This constant working of the muscles is considered to be the main cause of muscle knots. To put it in another way, muscle knots are caused when the muscles contract involuntarily and fail to relax.
Although the exact cause of muscle knots is not known, several studies and researches have been focused on this matter. A surgical removal of a portion of the muscle knot indicated the presence of abnormal deposits of protein. Some other studies suggest that there is excess connective tissue surrounding the muscles that may be a causative factor of muscle knots. However, there is no evidence to this suggestion and very little research has been done on the connective tissue factor.
Muscle knots can occur spontaneously at any time like when you are sleeping, while reaching for something or while suddenly turning your neck. When a knot develops, there are a few things that can be done to get rid of them.
- Massage therapy is an excellent remedy to calm the knots. It may be somewhat painful when the knots are being massaged but they have been proven to bring subsequent relief to the spasms.
- Anti-inflammatory medication and pain killers can help to alleviate the symptoms of muscle knots.
- Electrical stimulation and ultrasound treatments are other common treatment methods to deal with muscle knots.
- Applying heat to the affected will help the muscles to relax and loosen. Heat can be applied with the aid of hot water bottles, electric heating pads, heated gel packs or heat producing disposable pads.
- Applying an ice pack over the muscle knot for 10 to 20 minutes can also to help to alleviate the pain.
- Stretching exercises will help keep the muscles around the muscle knot to stretch and strengthen. It also increases the blood and oxygen flow to the affected area thus speeding up the healing process.
- Muscles knots maybe caused due to the lack of certain essential nutrients like potassium, calcium and magnesium. It is important that we eat a diet that provides adequate intake of these minerals. Be sure to eat lot of fruits and vegetables to keep your body well nourished. Supplements of these minerals are also available that should be taken under a doctor’s guidance.
- Along with a balanced diet, it is necessary to drink plenty of water. Water, not only keeps you hydrated, it also helps to flush out the concentrated toxins that may have accumulated in your blood stream.
The above mentioned remedies need not work for every individual. Each person may respond in a different way to the treatment methods. Recurrent or persistent muscle knots in the same area can be due to an underlying problem. If the pain is severe and occurs repeatedly, a doctor should be consulted straight away.