Muscle knots. They are a pain. Literally. They are common with fibromyalgia and chronic pain, but what are they? Here’s some information about what muscle knots are, how they are caused, and how you can treat them.
Muscle Knots
Even though I’ve been living with fibromyalgia symptoms for well over a decade, I had no idea about muscle knots until years after the onset of symptoms. And I discovered them in a painful way – during a physical therapy session. When my therapist suspected knots in my hips, she didn’t tell me her suspicions. Not that it would have made a difference if she had. She still had to find them in the same painful way – poking around in a therapeutic way.
She suspected my pain radiated from my hips outwards causing pains in my back and down my legs. After gently applying pressure to several areas across my buttocks, she could literally feel the ball of contracted muscles. Even though it was gentle pressure, it was excruciating for me. To ensure me she wasn’t applying more pressure than needed, she applied the same pressure to my arm and it didn’t hurt at all. It hurt my hips because of the pressure caused by these knots of muscles.
What are they?
Muscle knots are parts of the skeletal muscle that become hard. They are also known as a “taut band” or “trigger points” in the muscle. It is when a muscle becomes tight and cannot release.
What causes it?
They are no real known causes of muscle knots. They often occur in the shoulders, neck, or back areas.
Some doctors suggest that they are caused by:
- using a muscle after not using it for a while
- a strain or injury
- stress
- fibromyalgia
- depression
- anxiety
- chronic pain
- chronic fatigue
- bad posture
- vitamin deficiencies
What are the symptoms?
Most likely you are experiencing symptoms but not realizing it due to the pain levels. Some people can feel these balls of tense muscles while others (like me) cannot. Some of the symptoms are:
- tender muscles
- muscle pain when pressure is applied to the affected area
- aching, burning, stinging, or stabbing
- swelling
- soreness
- weakness
How are they treated?
To treat my muscle knots, my therapist applied gentle pressure onto the knot with her thumb. Gently and slowly she would twist in the same direction the knot was ‘moving’. These knots could not be undone in one session, so the pressure was applied in short intervals a few times a week for several weeks. After each session, she would lay a warm compression across those areas for after fifteen minutes. Within a few weeks, I was walking and moving with little to no pain. It was incredible!
Your doctor will most likely give you a physical exam to determine if you have a muscle knot. Some doctors will do an ultrasound. Some treatments include:
- warm or cold compress
- stretching of the affected muscle
- massage therapy
- physical therapy
- trigger point shots (injections to the affected area)
- muscle relaxers or antidepressants
- Ibuprofen or aspirin
- meditation or other relaxing exercises
- acupuncture
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I have suffered since my late 20’s and I am now 45. I tried all the medical advice and meds which did not help. I stopped all meds. I then moved to diet change (alkaline diet) and exercise which helped tremendously until my back tightened up and would not release. I was going to a massage therapist regularly and she recommended her chiropractor. I have by far received the best results so far as my chiropractor also does myofascial which I think is a huge factor. These knots are relentless…..:(
That’s amazing you’ve stopped all meds and able to manage the pain through diet, massage, and chiropractic care! I hope you get the knots resolved soon.
I use a chiropractor who breaks the notes with a special gun and then uses ultrasound therapy to reduce inflamation
Hello,
I was diagnosed with RA in 2013 and my rhemy said i have this fibro… Its killing me. Went to chiro and its too expensive. Trying deep tissue massage 2x a week. Hopefully this helps.
Cheers,
France
Deep tissue massages work for some people with fibro. I’m sorry chiropractor sessions didn’t help. They are several ways you can manage your fibro symptoms. Here are some natural ways to help lower symptoms: My Natural Remedy Plan (this is my personal plan).
I would like information for the fibro magazine. I have felt awful lately and am so discouraged. Pain and sleepless nights are getting to me.
Do you have any pointers for someone that takes blood thinner and is limited to what they can take for pain and also foods that I can eat. Doctors say that my body is full of inflammation. I have pain in the center of my chest quite often but the doctor said that I would not be able to tell the difference between fibro and heart. Not reassuring; otherwise I like him as my doctor.
Hi Brandi, Your post makes a lot of sense. I get these regularly, but only vaguely considered all the triggers and reasons. I have a great oesteopath who is good at massage. She’s also given me some great exercises for my particular needs. I have one in my shoulder neck area now, from being on the computer too long. I’d better do some of those exercises!