Muscle knots are a common source of back pain. “Myofascial trigger point” is the medical term for them, which occur when the fibers of the muscle tense up and tighten. These feel like small, painful bumps that can cause pain and affect the range of motion. Muscle knots can be active or latent. With active ones, the bump is painful even without being touched. Latent muscle knots are painful only when touched. With both active and latent muscle knots, it’s important to treat them early.
Muscle knots can develop nearly anywhere there is a muscle on the body but are most common in the back, neck, shoulders, and calf muscles. They feel like hard lumps in the muscle, and often when pressed, the pain radiates to other muscles.
There are a variety of causes including:
Muscle knots can cause pain and aches in the muscles and joints. When you touch a muscle knot, it might feel swollen and tense—even when you try to relax. Other symptoms can include:
Muscle knot treatments can vary and take time. In order to get rid of them, the knotted tissue needs to be broken up so the irritated nerves can calm. If you experience muscle knots, you should consult with your doctor to determine the best treatment for you. Recommended treatments might include:
When left untreated, they can result in chronic pain and lead to other health problems. If the pain is severe and interferes with your daily life, you should see a doctor right away. Check with your doctor to put together a treatment plan that is safe and efficient for you. Although muscle knots aren’t always preventable, staying physically active, stretching, relaxing, and staying hydrated are all small steps that you can take to reduce your risk of muscle knots.
