Have you ever wondered how often you should get a massage for pain in your body or tightness from working at the computer? If so, you aren’t alone. Many people want to get rid of their knots due to stress and tightness in the body. These are caused by physical labor at work or hours of sitting at a desk. Getting a massage is the best, but sometimes you come out feeling sorer than before. Why does that happen? Because there is certainly a fine line between getting too many massages and getting enough.
First, how do you know if you have knots?
Muscle knots, or myofascial trigger points, are areas of extreme muscle tension that develop in response to trauma or strain. These areas tend to be painful and tender to the touch. A knot may feel like a small bump under your skin, and when you press it, it might feel like a hardball. It may even twitch involuntarily.
The cause of this condition is thought to be excessive pressure on a muscle due to repetitive stress, poor posture, injury, overuse of muscles, and inflammation caused by poor diet.
You may feel a deep ache or sharp pain in the knot area. It may also send pain radiating to other areas of your body. The knot causes pressure on nearby nerves and blood vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients to your muscles. The longer you have knots, the more it affects your overall health because it restricts proper blood supply to your muscles.
What causes knots?
The knots in your muscles are caused by the shortening and tightening of the band of muscle. The constant tightening of the muscle fibers causes them to stick together, much like rubber bands that are tangled together. Muscle knots happen when your muscle fibers tense up or shorten. This can be caused by:
- Injury: If you injure yourself, the muscles around the injury tighten to try and protect it.
- Overuse: If you use your muscles too much, they may become overused and develop knots.
- Poor posture: Bad posture can cause long-term tension in your muscles.
- Poor sleep habits
- Repetitive Stress
- Muscles tightness, especially in your back, neck, and shoulders
How often should you get a massage for knots?
Depending on the severity of your knots, once a week to every other week is recommended. The frequency of massage may vary from person to person depending on their tolerance and how deep the knots are. If you are experiencing knots in your back that is causing pain, it is important to seek treatment from a professional.
Massage can help reduce low-back pain, headaches, muscle tension, and stress. It’s been found to help those with fibromyalgia and other chronic pain issues.
One of the main reasons to get a massage is because it helps to relieve muscle tension. Frequency of getting a massage depends on several things:
How often do you have knots? If you get knots regularly, you may want to get a massage more frequently than someone who only gets knots every once in a while.
How severe are the knots? The more severe your knots are, the more frequently you’ll need to see your massage therapist to relieve them.
What type of massage works best? Some people find that deep tissue massages work best to relieve muscle tension, while others prefer Swedish or hot stone massages.
Can deep tissue massage help with knots?
If you are suffering from muscle pain or tension, consider getting a deep-tissue massage. This type of massage can relieve the pain and tension in your muscles while improving blood flow and circulation in your body. It also helps to improve flexibility and mobility.
Swedish Massage
Swedish massages use long strokes, kneading, and friction on the surface layer of the muscles to improve circulation. The masseuse may also use deep circular motions, vibration, and tapping. Swedish massage is beneficial for increasing oxygen in the blood improving circulation and flexibility while easing tension. All these factors can help reduce pain from muscle knots. If you suffer from chronic pain due to arthritis or fibromyalgia, this type of treatment can help reduce inflammation and improve mobility in your joints.
How can I get rid of my knots on my own?
Massages are great for loosening up tight muscles, but they aren’t always possible regularly. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to relieve muscle knots yourself. Here are the most effective ways to get rid of knots in your back:
Stretch it out. Gently stretching the affected area for about 30 seconds may help relieve tension and loosen the knot.
Apply pressure. Applying pressure with your fingers or a massager to the point of discomfort for 5 to 10 seconds may help reduce tension and loosen the knot.
Move around. If you sit at a desk all day, try getting up and moving every once in a while to keep your muscles loose and prevent knots from forming.
What happens if I leave my knots untreated?
Knots are a buildup of scar tissue in your muscles and fascia. The fascia, or sheath, is the tough connective tissue covering every muscle, tendon, and ligament in your body.
Massage therapy aims to break up these knots, also known as adhesions. Leaving these knots untreated can cause several problems. They can cause:
- Muscle damage
- Limited range of motion
- Decreased flexibility
- Localized pain
- Pain radiating out from the knot
To Conclude
Trigger points are focal areas of tenderness in the muscle. When there is an injury or trauma to the muscle, it can cause tight bands to develop in the tissue. These bands prevent the muscle from relaxing and cutting blood flow to that area. This can lead to decreased flexibility, strength, and endurance.
A massage is a health service that involves the manipulation of soft body tissue, including muscles and tendons. It is meant to promote health and relaxation through increased blood flow, the breakdown of scar tissues, and the release of endorphins or “feel-good chemicals.”
Trigger points can be treated by self-massage, massage therapists, and other healthcare professionals specializing in treating trigger points. The goal is to get rid of muscle knots and tension, so your body can relax. It takes time for the body to get massages regularly and see the long-term effects. In general, a weekly Asian massage for knots should help reduce pain and stress to last you throughout the week. A regular massage can also increase blood flow which helps relieve soreness and aches in your muscles.