In today’s fast-paced world, chances are you know the feeling of a muscle knot all too well. Suddenly, an achy, tender area appears, be it from stress, injury or simply doing too much. Muscle knots can be painful, but they usually don’t last too long-especially when you know how to find relief.
What Are Muscle Knots?
People who are prone to muscle knots usually notice them popping up in their shoulders, neck or even upper and lower back. Also known as myofascial trigger points, muscle knots can occur during activity, or when pressure is applied to the trigger point.
People often report muscle knots occurring due to:
- Dehydration
- Joint issues
- Poor posture
- Emotional or physical stress
- Heavy lifting
- Repetitive activities
- Sleep problems
Those at the highest risk for developing muscle knots are older individuals, people with joint or muscle diseases and those with chronic stress.
How to Feel Better
Releasing the trigger point causing the tension you’re experiencing is a key goal in managing muscle knots.
You may find relief from:
- Stretching
- Light exercise-for example, if you have a severe knot in your shoulder, it’s best to not go overboard in the gym with shoulder strength exercises.
- Massage
- Acupuncture
- Ultrasound or cold laser therapy
- Focused chiropractic care
If you deal with frequent muscle knots or achy joints and muscles, we’re here for you. Contact us today to book a visit-we’ll do our best to help you feel better quickly.
