I get horrible knots in my back. Some in where the shoulders and neck meet, but the worst are between the spine and my shoulder blades. I get them massaged out when they get really bad, but they always seem to come back. Is there a way to avoid getting them or at least keep them from getting so big and painful? I stretch before and after swimming, and usually at random times during the day, but they still manage to form. I hope that as my fitness level increases, the knot formation will decrease. Any ideas? :help:
Thanks in advance!
Parents
Former Member
The knots you are referring to are called "trigger points". Trigger points tend to be located where the nerve ending that causes the muscle to contract attaches to the muscle fiber, generally in the middle of the muscle fiber. When pressed, trigger points feel like "knots" or tight bands in the muscle, and are usually very tender. When trigger points are present, on the microscopic level, part of the muscle fiber is contracted into a small thickened area. The sustained contraction produces the pain that is felt when the trigger point is pressed. There can be many things that cause trigger points. I'm not an expert but have gone throught a peroid of time where I had an on going problem in the trapezius muscles. I would suggest you seek the help of a physical therapist, you might have some muscle imbalances or something like that which is causing the problem. You must find the cause of the problem or the trigger points will keep coming back. :wiggle:
The knots you are referring to are called "trigger points". Trigger points tend to be located where the nerve ending that causes the muscle to contract attaches to the muscle fiber, generally in the middle of the muscle fiber. When pressed, trigger points feel like "knots" or tight bands in the muscle, and are usually very tender. When trigger points are present, on the microscopic level, part of the muscle fiber is contracted into a small thickened area. The sustained contraction produces the pain that is felt when the trigger point is pressed. There can be many things that cause trigger points. I'm not an expert but have gone throught a peroid of time where I had an on going problem in the trapezius muscles. I would suggest you seek the help of a physical therapist, you might have some muscle imbalances or something like that which is causing the problem. You must find the cause of the problem or the trigger points will keep coming back. :wiggle:
