What exactly are muscle Trigger Points?
When you say that you have “muscle knots,” you are talking about myofascial trigger points.There are no actual knots involved, of course — it’s just a metaphor. Although their true nature is uncertain, the main theory is that a trigger point (TrP) is a small patch of tightly contracted muscle, an isolated spasm affecting just a small patch of muscle tissue (not a whole-muscle spasm like a “charlie horse” or cramp That small patch of knotted muscle cuts off its own blood supply, which irritates it even more.
A collection of too many nasty trigger points is called myofascial pain syndrome (MPS).
Individual TrPs and MPS can cause a shocking amount of discomfort — far more than most people believe is possible — as well as some surprising side effects. Its bark is much louder than its bite, but the bark can be extremely loud.
Trigger points can elicit deep achy pain. Pain can be felt on the location where the knot exists, but in many cases, trigger points refer to other locations and in some cases, this referral pattern is less than obvious. A trained massage therapist is able to identify these patterns of referrals and treat these knots effectively to prevent aggravating them even more. Trigger Points can be treated by applying an ischemic compression. This can recreate the referral pain although a good therapist will work within your pain threshold (If you can comfortably breath through it, it is a good pain. If you have to tense up or hold your breath, you must ask your therapist to reduce the pressure). Self care prescribed by your therapist is important to follow through on following Trigger Point treatment because it will help avoid any potential kick-back pain following the deep treatment.