Nasty knots: How massages treat the most common source of back and neck discomfort

Painful, uncomfortable, and all-too-common, knots sometimes develop in muscle tissue over time, usually through excess strain that could come from either strenuous physical activity or prolonged bad posture.

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Knots, which are also known as myofascial trigger points, get their name from their tactile consistency when felt with fingers, which is an apt description of their nature as knotted up muscle fibers. They are formed where certain small points in a muscle, when contracted, do not release, causing inflammation and immense soreness as a result.

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The pain they cause can either be caused in a localized region and only when placed under pressure or, if they form near a nerve, cause pain to travel to a location some distance from the knot itself.

Getting rid of the pain involves a number of methods, among them non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and massaging. Massages are the most common way of dealing with knots and involves ample pressure to the bunched up fibers and causing them (and the muscle) to gradually relax.

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Knots that form in some parts of the body can be gently massaged over time by the persons themselves, so long as they are reachable. More isolated (and numerous) knots such as in regions of the back may require assistance from a masseur to reach adequately. Massages for these knots bring almost an instantaneous relief, but only after the masseur applies an immense amount of pressure.  

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