What Are Knots?

Muscles make up around 40% of our body weight and play an important role in the function of the body. From chewing to moving and from childbirth to temperature regulation, muscles perform many important functions in the body.

Each muscle is made up of hundreds and thousands of tiny muscle fibres and each muscle fibre consists of multiple tiny strands of fibrils running parallel to one another. It is because of these tiny muscle fibres that the muscles are able to contract and expand and perform various functions. Sometimes, as a result of stress, overuse, trauma, or poor posture, tiny “micro-tears” may appear in these muscle fibres. Although the formation of these micro-tears is a normal process, if there are too many micro-tears in one area, it may lead to the formation of muscle adhesions also referred to as muscle “knots”.

So, what are knots? Muscle knots, known as myofascial trigger points in the medical world, are incredibly common and can develop almost anywhere on the body where muscle or fascia is present. Aside from causing debilitating pain and discomfort, these muscle knots can adversely affect everyday life and movement and may increase the risk of injury, if left untreated.

Myotherapy to Treat Knots

Muscle knots or myofascial trigger points feel like bumps or tiny pimples underneath the skin, but they can be very tender or painful to the touch. Some muscle knots send “referred” pain to other parts of the body causing severe muscle pain, tightness, tension, and inflammation.

Myotherapy is one of the most effective therapies for relieving the muscle. Myotherapists use a number of techniques to soften and release them or manage the pain associated with myofascial trigger points. Some of the common techniques used by Myotherapists to treat muscle knots are:

• Myofascial Release
• Digital Ischemic Pressure
• Dry Needling
• Cupping

Although Myotherapy is not a miracle cure, it can effectively manage and treat myofascial trigger points over time, the success of this treatment approach depends on your commitment to treatment and also doing the home exercises provided by your Myotherapist.

Melbourne Natural Therapies
Myotherapy Melbourne
What Are Knots?