Muscle knots, also known as myofascial trigger points, are small, bump-like areas of muscle that can be painful to the touch. They are stiff bands of muscle that have a hard knob in the center and can occur anywhere in the body where there is muscle or fascia. Muscle knots are usually a type of spasm that causes a small portion of a muscle to tense up, which can often be painful. They are not usually harmful, but they can certainly be uncomfortable. Muscle knots can be caused by a variety of factors, including:
- Repetitive motion, such as training one group of muscles for a long period of time
- Poor posture, which puts stress on muscles
- Overuse, stress, or fatigue
- Working too hard as an athlete
- Sitting at a desk or driving a car for a long time, especially without breaks
- Scar tissue formation due to prolonged stress on muscles
Muscle knots can be treated with simple home remedies, self-massage, and stretching. However, some knots can cause chronic pain and disability, and interfere with a person’s everyday life and activities. In such cases, a person should see a doctor or physical therapist for treatment.
