If only it was that easy...

I imagine that "knots" are a rather large part of the reason I have had the pleasure of meeting and working with you! And so, I thought you might be curious to know a little more about these little nuggets that call out for both your and my attention.

The scientific term for a knot is a "myofascial trigger point" or, as the dictionary puts it: a “highly irritable localized spot of exquisite tenderness in a palpable taunt band of muscle tissue.” You've felt them, those hard lumps that can send sensation shooting up or down your body.

In a knot-sized nutshell, this is what is actually happening when you experience the discomfort, pain and stiffness associated with knots:

Muscle knots are points within a muscle where contracted fibers are unable to release, the constant state of contraction allows for excess metabolic waste and protein to build up after a release of lactic acid (when the muscle strains). This hinders blood flow to the area, therefore sending pain signals to the brain. The brain wants to stop this pain and commands the muscle to rest, which leads to under usage of the muscle. This process shortens and tightens your muscle - leading to a higher chance of more knots in the surrounding muscle area. Sadly, this leads us down a winding road to a more limited range of motion, restricted blood flow, increased tightness and possibility of injury.