What is a knot?
A knot is known as a myofascial trigger point. A simple explanation is that a knot is a tight ball of muscle from an overworked muscle. I have been asked if a knot is when two or more muscles have become intertwined. A good question because actually fibers within the same muscle can become intertwined as can fibers from separate muscles that share an attachment of the same bone. Try not to think of a knot as a “knot” in the traditional sense. There is no wrapping into a bow of our muscles as the term can easily be misconstrued. Instead think of the knot as a muscle spasm.
Most of the time, our muscles operate in an on/off manner which means the muscles that get sore/fatigue easily. The fast twitch fibers that enable us to perform rapid/intense movements of short duration like weight training or throwing a ball are not always at work. They fire/contract during exertion but when the exertion is complete they quit firing. When they continue to fire or contract without releasing a spasm or muscle knot forms. A fatigued muscle in spasm contains individual sections within the muscle that constrict and pull from both sides. This makes a taut band of muscle essentially forming what is known as a knot.
How does a knot occur?
There are direct and indirect causes of knots. One of the most common causes is overwork. Remember, fast twitch fibers are not meant to be used for long periods of time. So overworking muscles can cause knots. Trauma, such as can happen in an automobile accident or physical activity or injury, also contributes to knot formation. The stress that we encounter on a daily basis help form the shoulder and neck knots that we all are accustomed to at some point or another. Our neck constricts and shoulders raise, before long if we cannot calm down then those poor muscles that make our shoulders look like earrings remain overworked by contracting and firing too much/too long. Therefore tension knots occur.
So how does massage therapy help in getting rid of our knots and decreasing the associated pain and discomfort?
The number one benefit of massage is relaxation. When a person experiences massage, whether Swedish, Deep Tissue, Thai, Shiatsu etc. , the primary response to touch is that the parasympathetic nervous system or rather the nervous system that enables us to rest/digest is activated. This means that during your massage session: your body is much more relaxed, is able to function much more effectively, efficiently, and optimally because it is undergoing a restorative phase. Therefore our circulatory system works optimally and increases circulation which carries blood and nutrients to other systems in our body. Then these systems operate more efficiently too. Our liver detoxifies and the lymphatic system operates better reducing toxins in the body. Because it is thought that a knot can contain excess lactic acid, unusual deposits of protein and other bodily by-products more commonly referred to as “toxins”, massage both directly and indirectly has an effect on the removal of wasteful by-products.
Trigger Point therapy directly aids in the reduction of knots with a massage technique called sustained compression. Where the massage therapist locates the knot and applies deep compression with a thumb, fingers, or elbow and holds until the pain and discomfort goes away (usually 20-30 seconds and is repeated several times). This is done with patient/therapist awareness and focus on breath and thought. Trigger Point therapy can be painful but if done correctly it can make the difference between chronic pain caused by muscle knots.
Hope you enjoyed this information! It's been awhile, but I was computerless :( Contact me with any questions at miracltouchmassagetherapy@gmail.com and I can post a blog/email you the answer! Or feel free to call me to schedule a massage 513.765.9230.
Have a relaxing day!
-Heather Miracle LMT
The Miracle Touch
In-home Massage Therapy
