These knots are called Trigger Points and they occur when individual muscle fibers become caught in contraction. All our muscles move by the contraction and relaxation of their cells, but they do sometimes get stuck and problems begin. With the muscle contracted the blood flow to that particular area is cut off. Normally the circulation of blood through muscles carries away all the metabolic waste that the cells produce, but with the loss of circulation the waste builds up. This build up causes pain, which causes the muscle to spasm, and that can lead to a greater reduction in circulation. As the cycle continues, pain can build and can be felt elsewhere in the body. The referred pain follows patterns through the nervous system and can actually mask the true source of the problem. A headache or pain in the jaw could be caused by trigger points in the neck or upper back and wrist pain could refer from the upper forearm or even from the shoulder.
The bad news: Trigger points do not discriminate, they occur in everyone to some degree though many can be latent and not cause pain. The good news: They are treatable by relatively easy methods. Deep Tissue Massage is a wonderful treatment method for trigger points because it breaks the pain-spasm cycle and allows blood flow to return to the affected area. The natural increase in circulation that massage produces works to carry away the built up waste. Self massage is also effective and there are a number of tools (looking like oddly curved things) available designed to help relieve trigger points. The treatment process, while intense, does not have to be horribly painful. There is a difference between therapeutic discomfort and full on pain, and if you are experiencing the latter then it is your right and duty to inform your therapist.
As a final note, be sure to drink plenty of water after any massage, but especially for trigger point therapy. All the waste that built up around the point is still in your body and it’s best to flush it out before it settles anywhere else.
