When you get a massage, you may hear your therapist talk about trigger points, commonly known as muscle knots. These are tender areas in your muscles, usually in your neck, shoulders, or upper back, that cause pain when pressure or stimulation is applied. If you feel a sharp ache after an intense workout or physical activity, it’s most likely coming from an overstimulated trigger point. This stinging pain can linger for weeks to months.  

What Causes Trigger Points or Knots?

Although muscles are designed to be pliable and strong, flexibility imbalances can still occur, leading to the formation of trigger points. Common causes include muscle trauma, injury, repetitive strain, and poor posture. For instance, if your work involves sitting in front of a computer all day in the same position, your mobility is decreased. As a result, muscle fibers will start sticking to each other and form contracted knots, which bring about a hard and lumpy feeling on your muscle that is painful when pressed on. If left untreated, the affected muscle will continue to lose its elasticity.

What Are the Treatment Options?

Massage therapy is a popular treatment option to get rid of trigger points, as it is drug-free and non-invasive. Therapeutic massage can stretch out those tight knots, relaxing contracted muscle fibers in the process. During a massage session, the therapist will locate the knot and apply deep compression until the pain and discomfort subside. Massage can also put you in a more relaxed state, wherein the circulatory system works optimally to speed up recovery. To prevent the formation of trigger points in the future, focus on maintaining good posture in every activity and schedule deep tissue massage sessions periodically.

Enjoy the many benefits of therapeutic massage at MassageLuXe. The team specializes in getting rid of trigger points for a pain-free and more mobile body. They can also help you relax, ease your stress, and rejuvenate your mind and body. They offer Swedish, hot stone, and prenatal massage, as well as aromatherapy and other options. Visit the website for more information on their variety of services.