Does anyone have advice for a muscle knot in the upper back? From my limited Internet research, these are also referred to as Myofascial Pain and/or trigger points. In my own case, it's about two inches away from the spine, near the top of the scapula. It feels like someone has stabbed me in the back with one of those bull-fighter picador gizmos. If i lean my head forward, this causes a neck muscle to tug on the trigger point, causing more pain.
It doesn't hurt as much when I lie down flat; I can also swim and weight lift without causing too much discomfort. But just sitting at my desk causes this chronic ouch sensation.
Earlier last season, I hurt my opposite shoulder and was swimming one armed for a while, which may have been the original cause of the discomfort. But now that it seems well-established, is there anything I can do to get it to go away? Note: I've had it, off and on, for weeks if not months now, but it's been particularly noticeable over the past week. I went to Y masters nationals, and it killed me on the 7 hour car drives over and back--but mysteriously disappeared during the four days of competition.
Any advice would be truly appreciated.
Parents
Former Member
I get these all the time, one reason at any big meet I go to a massage therapist a week before, and then an hour a day during the swim meet.
How good the therapist is make a difference for me. My best race ever I set a national record and made All American, it was like my mide was above my body and all my muscles were working correctly.
When I have knots in the back I just can't swim properly.
I use SalonPas pads, and stretch before and after every workout and every gym visit. And not 5 minutes, a good 15 minutes is needed.
Also wet heat like steam and jacussis penetrate 3 inches, dry heat penetrates half an inch.
I get these all the time, one reason at any big meet I go to a massage therapist a week before, and then an hour a day during the swim meet.
How good the therapist is make a difference for me. My best race ever I set a national record and made All American, it was like my mide was above my body and all my muscles were working correctly.
When I have knots in the back I just can't swim properly.
I use SalonPas pads, and stretch before and after every workout and every gym visit. And not 5 minutes, a good 15 minutes is needed.
Also wet heat like steam and jacussis penetrate 3 inches, dry heat penetrates half an inch.
