What EXACTLY Are Muscle Knots? And Why Do They Happen?

[@theanatomylab]

Thanks to YOGABODY Teachers College www.yogabody.com/iha for sponsoring this video. Check out their science-based, online yoga certification courses.

[@Desert_Dreamer24]

Please read my comment!!!! Please!!!

[@theanatomylab]

@@Desert_Dreamer24 👍

[@bagniacz3264]

Hey guys, I have a question. What is your logo actually representing? Ever since I came across your channel I wonder about it from time to time lol. It does resemble something, but I can quite figure out what is it. It looks a bit like a anterior abdominal wall dissected but not quite like it... also kinda like uterus with ovaries, but why it is cut in half then? Please help

[@rasmis]

Grab your pitchforks - and let's go move some hay! While conducting peer-reviewed evidence-based science.

[@theanatomylab]

It's the muscles of the back - trapezius and latissimus dorsi

[@archibald_raven]

I’ve been a massage therapist for 7 years. In that time I’ve only had 1 client who didn’t have a single knot or trigger point in their entire body. I asked them what they did as far as maintenance and they told me they stretched for 3 hours everyday. So take that for what you will.

[@honuman39]

I'm also a massage therapist for awhile longer than you've been (not comparing, just for reference..24 years). One client in my career I believed didn't have knots but I'm certain I just didn't find them on them is all. I don't believe it's possible to not have adhesed hypertonified myofascia somewhere at any given time. Additionally I've worked with dedicated yoga practitioners and they can have some of the most hypertonic and knotted up myofascia but be extremely flexible. It's an interesting thing that at least subjectively, adhesed hypertonified tissues can be independent of their associated limb extensibility. Just thought I'd add a perspective.

[@punawelewele]

Do you know if that person stretched multiple times throughout the day or just once a day for 3 hours?

[@skym821]

Who's got time for that?!

[@flemythesnail]

I have been a therapist for 8. I have had 3 clients without knots. 1 was a rescue swimmer who was practicing at extreme depths and had just received cupping ( she became a regular, she usually has knots). 1 was a ridiculously tall african woman who did not speak much english and was wearing a kings ransom in jewelry. The last was a korean woman who performed yoga and tai chi daily in addition to sleeping on some sort of stone mat on the floor.

[@alastairhewitt380]

@kimkisses17 They could have been a yoga instructor, which I would argue adds more value to people's lives than most professions.

[@cmtsage]

As a massage therapist Justin’s hypothesis is what is taught to us essentially. Our nervous system and muscles are interconnected, and with repeated overuse both get used to a certain position (shortened/contracted). And when pressure is applied to a trigger point it’s aggravating because you are stimulating an area that is permanently contracted both physically and through our nervous system. Through massage, those muscle fibers are lengthened and it takes a while for our nervous system to reprogram that area to not feel pain when the fibers are anything but shortened and contracted.

[@SwayTree]

I think it's true. I thind a parallel to phantom pains when somebody feels a part of the body which is no longer there. So if something got stuck in certain position your brain can get used to that so you need this accute stimulus that will tell the brain to stop hurting.

[@mdas5937]

*through massage and stretching exercises.

[@TsukasaElkKite]

Is that why my muscles spasm when muscle knots get released?

[@B_Bodziak]

@@SwayTree Thought-provoking

[@c2damak]

Yes! And that’s where reflex techniques come in 😁👌

[@morningplum1234]

I personally believe you nailed the answer on the head. I'm a massage therapist and working on a masters in counseling and the interplay between the mind and body can never be underestimated. I now see muscles as look into the mind and I'll probably always incorporate both practices because relaxing the muscles relaxes the mind and relaxing the mind relaxes the muscles. It's a beautiful thing.

[@azombieee]

That's a really cool combo ❤ good luck!

[@VictoryAviation]

I completely believe there is a strong connection between physiology in all different categories and psychology. But, what about trigger points that are directly related to injuries? It seems there are at a minimum psychological stress types of trigger points, physical injury centric trigger points, and then any combination thereof.

[@conceivably]

I’ve been nerding out trying to heal a thoracic spine/facia/muscle injury, seeing a PT and athletic trainer. The pressing and release method you mention made me immediately think about the Back Pod by a New Zealand PT. Could this be a trick? I once dated a pro golfer who stated that knots once formed or solidified over time become permanent and cannot be released. As if formed into scar tissue. (I’m only an athletic coach of rowing and Nordic skiing, so my learning is lessers.)

[@beakling1]

I'm also getting my master's in counseling! I completely agree, and this definitely makes me want to get into massage therapy. Our brains can do a lot of things we don't intend to, and based on what I've learned, the average brain saying (metaphorically) "I'm stressed and I don't like the way I'm being told to move. So I'm going to tell this muscle to tighten, just because. And I'm going to leave it that way until something changes, or I feel like I'm being cared for (i.e., by touch or massage) and that will definitely make something happen because now I'm getting pain receptors involved." The part of our brain that controls automatic processes is not the most mature IMHO. But it doesn't have to be. It's there to keep us maintained and let us know when something's wrong. I genuinely believe muscle knots may be one of those communications from a part of our brain that can't communicate in any other way, but is communicating something important anyway.

[@SherriRosebud]

I do care and would love learn and know more because in my case, there are times when I have suffered for weeks in pain because absolutely nothing alleviated it. I believe that many of mine are brought on by bad posture and stress. It amazes me how stress does so much damage to the body. Now if there was an easy way to alleviate stress...wouldn't that be wonderful!

[@dysphorianna]

Muscle knots have been explained to me (currently in classes to be a massage therapist) as your muscle going on autopilot in the brain (in the same way that breathing is something that you don't usually have to think about). Massaging helps a knot partially because the stimulation helps the brain to no longer autopilot the message that the brain is sending to contract the muscle

[@bigtroll8249]

This is correct

[@seandipaul8257]

So it's essentially a cramp that got stuck?

[@andrewerickson6690]

Well this sucks no matter what caused it

[@andybrice2711]

I suspect that a lot of muscle control doesn't even involve the brain. I reckon there might be a lot of circuits in the spinal cord trying to keep the skeleton stable, balanced, and protect it from further injury. And I hypothesize that a lot of muscle tension might result from these processes becoming oversensitive.

[@craigsxchange]

I can agree with you. As a massage therapist, I was taught that the therapy part is about working with the client to raise their self-awareness of their body and how they hold tension. The goal is to teach the client how to recognize when a muscle is tense and to be able to relax it on their own based on what they learned during therapy sessions. The best referrals come from clients who no longer need regular sessions. 🙂 This is why I am not a fan of deep tissue swedish massage. Often, those clients want the therapist to apply as much pressure as possible and be the one to force the muscle into relaxation. To me, that takes the client's brain and self-awareness out of the equation. It also risks injury to the therapist. To get around this issue, I slowly work a muscle and tell the client, "Breathe in/out. On the outbreath, relax the muscle where you feel my pressure. This will allow me to sink deeper into the muscle. The more you relax in that spot, the deeper I can go." In that sense, I help them to help themselves. 🙂

[@user-cm1rs9yt7t]

I have been a remedial massage therapist for 19 years. I love this video as it raises a very interesting question as to what is really going on if you indeed paralyse the muscle but there is still pain. My theory….. it’s in the fascia, not muscle. Fascia has 90% more pain receptors than muscle & it’s where inflammation is held. The reason massage is so helpful is because we are working mostly in fascia.

[@cnightingale9]

I agree. In my experience as a massage therapist, if I do fascia work, the trigger points go away without having to work on them.

[@reginamemoriesforever-vc8ql]

100% - my problems are fascial

[@philosothink]

I suffer from these and I have often described the pain as inflammation of the sheath around the muscle and not the muscle itself that causes the muscle within to cramp too. But perhaps both are and there are just more receptors outside of the music.

[@givememynamepls]

😊 11:28 😊

[@ChubbyUnicorn]

My life has been turned upside-down by a muscle pain / cramping issue no one can figure out. Your presentation was EXTREMELY helpful. I have high calcium, a metabolic disorder, and intense chronic pain. Botox injections did release the cramps, but the pain remained, which i was told was "not possible" THANK YOU for the research showing it isnt "Just Me". doctors really want a simple answer and none have time to research my issue, which I agree is multifaceted and no one thing can fix. Now I can look at the research, use my biology/pre med degree and maybe find some relief. What this channel does REALLY HELPS.

[@theanatomylab]

Glad the video was helpful! Best of luck to you!

[@MichaelSmith-ti6qc]

Magnesium

[@innavit5267]

Same here If you find something let me know 🙏

[@zuzuspetals9281]

Botox for migraines triggered by knots in my shoulders helped at first but seems to become less effective. I’m now trying a tens unit. What I’d like best is weekly massage but it’s too expensive and difficult to even book monthly with a good therapist. Acupuncture would help too, but again the cost is prohibitive. Resisting pain meds sometimes is difficult, I’m tired of the pain, so finding answers would be nice, I choose not to live in a fog of pain or drugs and for now it’s pain.

[@daisyhenry-antonio5246]

I suffered the same for years, my whole life really. I was finally diagnosed with CFS, Fybromyalgia, a genetic heart condition and a specialist genetic testing found also have EDS. I have been told manny times by doctors " thats not possible, you're to young, where are you in your menstrual cycle?" .. keep looking for your answer. Dont let them tell you "its just you" i have been hospitalized on so many occasions and told by ER doctors " thank GOD you got in in time" "but we dont know what happened, follow up with your GP"

[@benjamin3615]

As a strength athlete, I regularly get muscle knots ranging from minor and pretty serious to a point where I had trouble walking. (looking at you, hamstrings). Sometimes they spasm, sometimes I don't even know they're there until pressure is applied. However, I've learned for myself that massaging the affected muscle(s) with a solid object like a golf ball, tennis ball, baseball or foam roller depending on how hard or soft I want it to be until the pain transitions from a sharp ache to a tender burn and my skin turns red. This transition is how I know that muscle has released enough and is too irritated to continue. If the muscle knot is minor, this is where I will usually stop and drink about 16oz of water (usually more). This will help my kidneys and speed up flushing the toxins from the muscles and my body. I usually find that my muscles will not be bruised and ache the next day after this. However, for serious muscle knots, they will usually be accompanied by spasms or severe pain. I will do the above massage and after that I will then run a hot bath with Epsom salts and soak for about 10 to 20 minutes, just allowing myself to relax. After I am done with my bath, I will hydrate and focus on replacing lost electrolytes like magnesium, sodium, potassium and calcium through a meal and protein shake. I will also get enough protein and carbs to refuel. I haven't had an issue since.

[@theanatomylab]

Great strategy!

[@ChubbyUnicorn]

I have chronic pain from a muscle cramping disorder. I'm going to try out what you do & see if it helps. Thank you!

[@benjamin3615]

@@ChubbyUnicorn Hope it works for you, I've had some serious muscles knots I thought were actual strains and some I was worried had transitioned into actual tears. My most recent one was a hamstring knot that would spasm to a point I could not put weight on it. I knew it wasn't fully torn because I could move the affected limb with no loss of strength. I did the above but massaged using my thumb since it was just under my gluteal fold on the medial side of my leg. It took only 30 minutes of massaging before it became so angry I could barely lightly press the muscle without it being tender. Jumped in the bath, added an Epsom salt aimed at recovery from sports, then focused on my nutrition and hydration. It bruised and was sore for a few days but was completely gone and healed up by the next training session.

[@izzyh.3581]

@@benjamin3615 what you're talking about is very interesting. I don't have a formal education on this stuff but I intrigues me nonetheless. One day during the summer I was relaxing in the pool and decided to work on my toe function and was straightening them out and keeping them that way. I wound up getting a huge cramp in my calf. One of those unbearable can't shake out cramps but have to ride it out. I couldn't walk right for about 4 days. After those few days I noticed I had more control over my calf while flexing(particularly the soleus muscle). Like I had loosened up tied up fibers. So I did the same to the other side lol. Do you have any knowledge or experience where inducing cramps can actually reset the muscle?

[@ruby2zdy]

I dont eat right. If I dont take a Mg supplement every day, I get true muscle cramps. PEOPLE: Please dont tell me to eat right or what works for you to eat right.

[@Shelley_Eclectic]

I love how all the massage therapists are here for this discussion 😊 I was taught that trigger points are chemicals that stay in the muscle fibers and pool around an acupressure point, thus decreasing the ROM of that muscle. It is hard to distinguish between a knot and cysts for instance, but a "knot" will break down with stripping or flushing out the muscle fiber. Let alone that a muscle knot can affect a muscle, the muscles above or below it, and also affects the antagonistic muscles that oppose the original muscle. So glad that I took a cadaver lab course for my licensure.

[@karrin2261]

…cysts move. Knots only move when the muscle moves…

[@cotiluttrell]

As a chronic pain sufferer for 20+ years, I one hundred percent believe my muscle knots are central nervous system related. I have PTSD and fibromyalgia and believe the two are related in how it manifest in pain throughout my body and definitely with large stubborn trigger points. I often feel like I am constantly bracing for something to happen except it's not on purpose at all.

[@LexingtonB09]

Omg you just described me to a T. I also have chronic pain and have CRPS which is a nervous system syndrome that causes constant pain. I also always feel like im braced for something constantly, but I don’t do that on purpose at all either. I was also diagnosed with pTSD,so yeah I hear ya…the struggle is real 🙌

[@dawn-from-the-lab]

Same; PTSD and fibromyalgia as well. I feel like my trapezius, neck, skull, and facial muscles are just one massive trigger point that never go away.

[@lunaticmoon2941]

You described me exactly

[@alanamtravis]

@@dawn-from-the-labEXACTLY THE SAME FOR ME

[@preronakundu4180]

Me too! PTSD + fibromyalgia, 100% the two are related

[@CrowleyA]

As a sports therapist (that is very keen to deep tissue) I've learned from Uni that a knot is an area that the muscle fibers are overworking but my experience is telling me that is a combination of bad posture, triggering the same muscle groups over and over, bad diet (or insufficient blood flow or nutrients supply) and/or emotional tension. Also stress is undeniably related to knots.

[@benjawale]

Wow! Crowley. I'm not even a doctor, but your answer is the closest answer to my recurring back knots and planter faciatis after a few visits to OTs and ARNPs. The simplest lay man's answer to my problem, changing diet, stress, bad posture, lifestyle, someone else told me bad shoes, that the sole wore out funny, etc. I just want to put a stop to the xylocaine patches, thousands of ibuprofens and meds that make one feel hella dizzy and drowsy. Thank you, Crowely, my hero🎉

[@tomsorrell4918]

Diet has nothing to do with a person having a muscle knot, don't be a tard...

[@ZantherStone]

I know it's been a year since you posted this, but would you say this is the same that's going on when you slept wrong and wake up with a locked neck and they give you muscle relaxers?

[@KRAMITDFROG]

No offense, but this is pseudoscientific at best. People may have those things in common, but that is almost certainly not the cause.

[@JediBunny]

Knowing that good people like you are looking for answers to the pain that’s been plaguing me means so much. I started experiencing chronic pain in my upper right trapezius about four years ago. At first I didn’t even want to see a doctor because I thought it could be psychosomatic / stress related. But the pain never relented; it got worse. When I finally got an x-ray last year at 34 years old, my doctor told me it was osteoarthritis of my cervical spine and that I had bone spurs. My physical therapist explained that my trapezius pain was due to overworked muscles trying to support my weak neck, and that all of this could be due to never having treated my scoliosis as a child. Many physical therapy sessions later and having tried CBD, acupuncture, massage, etc, I’ve learned so far that: -Stress makes it worse - if my mind gets tight, my body gets tight and the pain inflames -inflammatory food makes it worse, including sugars -daily movement works. Mindful movement where I practice good, fluid form and function -painkillers are only temporary -I really, really want to find permanent pain relief. I turned 35 two days ago, and it really worries me that I may have this pain the rest of my life. I want a baby one day, and I want to be able to hold and carry that baby without pain. I’m so scared I’ll never have that. Sorry for the emotional rant lol. Just really moved to know people are seeking answers to help other people. It means so much to see that. I hope you feel better soon and take good care of yourself - we can’t pour from an empty glass!

[@karanapurwin8650]

What type of doctor diagnosed you? I have the same issue in my left trapezius muscle. Started from a stress injury at 28. I am now 38 and so scared I will never get to have a baby, let alone go on walks again or be able to do my dishes without pain. It never goes away. Every doctor I see thinks they can help and then eventually give up when all regular options are exhausted. I can't participate in regular life. I'm so scared this will be my life forever.

[@JediBunny]

@@karanapurwin8650 it was a general practitioner - she ordered a series of x-rays. A physical therapist clarified the information for me. But it’s always good to get multiple opinions - don’t give up. Take care of your physical and mental health as much as you can, and try to build up the muscles that help support good posture. That’s helped me a lot too! I don’t start my day without rolling around on the ground and getting touch with my body first, and doing “movement snacks” throughout the day to keep things fluid and from tightening up! I feel for you and I really hope you find things that help you along this path to a better future ❤️

[@Road2PBATour]

As a licensed medical massage therapist I see clients like you with similar stories. I'll try to be brief you say you have osteoarthritis of the cervical and bone spurs and how sever is your scoliosis? From the information it sounds to me that the scoliosis has increased tension to the left side meaning that the right side would have less tension on it. This may not be the case but from reading this that's what I am envisioning. Since you have osteoarthritis and bone spurs they will definitely contribute to chronic pain. You can possible make the bone spurs go away but the osteoarthritis will not go away and I would recommend bone building activities to fight the effects of osteo and the scoliosis putting torsion on the spine. There is hope, however there is no quick fix for your problem clients hate hearing that, but it can be managed that doesn't mean that there are never going to be bad aggravating days. But if you were my client I'd have you come in every two weeks until you noticed a considerable change in the feeling and function of the area then you could come in once a month to manage the pain. I believe strengthening would benefit you more that stretching the area. If you want relief find a neuromuscular or deep tissue therapist in your area preferably one that does not work at a massage chain and set up appointments. However you would need to make it a routine. I like physical therapist, but it's not going to help with muscle tension in the way you need it to, because they are focused on the kinesthetic aspect of the body or movement. Start now don't keep putting it off and you'll be able to hold that baby I can almost 100 percent guarantee it if you follow this advice.

[@Sylorinnis]

@@JediBunny Did you consider thoracic outlet syndrome?

[@camipockets]

Speaking from the other side, don't give up hope on having your baby, even though you may have continuing pain. I had my son in August this year. I turned 35 in October. I had back pain that I couldn't resolve and got it imaged in November. I have disc narrowing at l3-l4, l4-l5, l5-s1, with sclerosis and end plate spurring. Is it continuously painful to move my 16.5 pound baby who cannot even sit up yet? Yes. But the reality is, it's possible to grow around the pain and find solutions that make it a little easier. Having the understanding that the pain is always going to be there helps me with accepting it and moving around and through it. If you do truly have the heart for your child, you can work through the pain to get there, to be there with them. Hang onto your hope.

[@Benni777]

Hope your voice is feeling better! ☺️It’s kinda nice to hear an anatomy teacher speak so softly, bc the ones at my school (basically all medical teachers) are SO LOUD, you can hear them from the other hallway!

[@theanatomylab]

Don't worry - I'll be back to my unnecessarily loud self soon enough 😂

[@viveksahani88]

@@theanatomylab Shouting so much that the sound falls on its stapes, not on his eardrum 🤣

[@stevethea5250]

@@viveksahani88 what's stspes

[@word6344]

@@stevethea5250 one of the small bones in the ear that help transmit sound

[@michaelvoorhees5978]

How dumb

[@lukas4235]

Most plausible theory in my opinion is structural damage caused by unprepared or unusual movements that cause local inflammatory signalling, nociceptive stimuli and higher muscle tone in order to keep this region stable to prevent further damage. Massages and manual therapy help because they release some happy chemicals, through being touched and the pain caused by those therapies activates descending inhibitory pain pathways via involvement of the periaqueductal grey. Thats why the effects by those interventions only last view minutes.

[@johannesdaniel4021]

best comment

[@AlwaysDreaming]

I feel like this idea is why a lot of chiropractors and therapists suggest strengthening exercises for those weak muscles. in my case its my upper back and neck muscles. I get horrible pain and inflammation there almost every week unless I keep up with my strengthening regimen.

[@itsgonnabeanaurfromme]

@@AlwaysDreaming exercising to strengthen weak muscles? Brilliant!!!!

[@gillifish]

I somewhat subscribe to this as well! I have Ehlers Danlos and a lot of skeletal issues, so of course my muscles are SCREWED. But for years I’ve had higher than usual muscle mass and tension, but nowadays we know why. I’ve been holding my damn spine together and every bone for years 😂

[@HollisterJones4tw]

Really appreciate you saying what science doesn't understand. I remember hearing something similar in massage school. I think the health world would be much better if we focused on what we don't know so that we can be apart of the mystery that is the nervous system and start to work with it.

[@coffeebeaned]

as someone who suffers from chronic pain, we absolutely have to figure out this stuff! it's SO helpful to those of us who suffer from things like this ☺i love learning about these kinds of things, too, since it's so interesting to figure out how our bodies work :D

[@caneane]

i feel you

[@sc3ku]

fell you as well. chronic SI joint pain and 3x/day stretching and foam rolling glutes is the only thing that keeps it at bay. As a climber, it’s also amazing what and ArmAid (no affiliation) and a massage gun can do to keep soreness and injury at bay!

[@decodyg484]

It's inflamed tissue? Caused by exertion, dehydration, stress or other trauma? These guys aren't doctors and make money if the problem continues

[@MermaidMakes]

Yeah, I’m glad more and more people are realizing it isn’t “in our heads”…when my mom finally was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, it was well into her adulthood, and until then she was told that it was a mental illness. It was also misdiagnosed as MS at some point. 20 years later I was diagnosed and attitudes in medicine have come quite a long way but we could still do better. These videos and findings are so important so we can get the treatment, care, and respect we need.

[@LaoSoftware]

My back hurts talking about muscle knots. I have severe back pain since 2010.

[@budgreen100]

Great content! As a massage therapist for almost 30 years, as well as teaching massage for 25… that was one of the best breakdowns on the subject for be come across. I recommend your channel to all my students. Thanks for your dedication..🙏🏽

[@theanatomylab]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@digitalobserved]

@AbstractAdventures Can you give any tips/advice on how to massage the gluteal area without hurting ones thumbs, because some of these muscles lie so deep!

[@oceanokelly8097]

@@digitalobserved elbows fists or palms 🤲

[@rachrbonez1335]

i think a lot about muscle knots. as an athlete i get them in my shoulders and over my lats quite a bit, and have always been in awe by the relief felt with a massage gun. but as a biomed engineer i'm surprise i didn't learn about knots in college, guess this is why! thanks for the lesson. i sure wish this was one of the things we knew more about

[@MartiDeBord]

I love this video so much! My entire body is covered in these knots. Most of the time, they don't bother me unless it's touched, but sometimes they are debilitating. This video is so informative and helpful!

[@Volar777]

i am grateful to you for showing up to do this segment despite your not feeling 100%. Thank you Justin...i learn from you and i am beholden to you

[@33Jenesis]

I have a knot on my left shoulder blade area. It comes when I was stressed out mentally. The physical pain is the outlet for mental anguish. The pain and discomfort is annoying and persistent. It wouldn’t kill me but it was strong enough to bother me day and night.

[@peacenholiness6855]

🧘‍♂️☯️

[@PM-iw7xs]

You said "was".. Can I ask how you managed pain? Is it gone? I have the same, left shoulder and traps. Can't even wear a bra! I'd appreciate any suggestions.

[@33Jenesis]

@@PM-iw7xs The pain caused discomfort especially when I slept (side sleeper). I used an old tennis ball to press on the knot when driving. I happened to buy a hammock stand so in frustration I set it up in living room and had my first good sleep in months. That was 9/2020. I had slept in the hammock every night for about 1 year. I also started learning swimming since 7/21 and go to pool daily. I still sleep in hammock but only during non cold weather (hard to used a heating pad in hammock). I think my knot was mostly healed by hammock. It stretched out my upper back from arm to arm while I slept. It also stop me from turning and sleeping on my side. If you can affix industrial strength hooks on wall or ceiling beams, you can just buy a hammock either cotton or nylon camping version. I bought a combustible stand that’s for patio but I use it in my bedroom. You need 12’ long clearance though.

[@youtubr4real]

Find a chiropractor who takes xrays

[@SivanahBeaivi]

Mine is in my left calve muscle. It’s a bothersome pain that worsens with the rain, mild foot drop, and stiffness.

[@chrisbowers1652]

I love your enthusiasm for finding answers to the "why"!!! I suffer from spasms/cramps in my shoulders and neck that are horrific. I went from doctor to doctor looking for answers and was repeatedly told that it was just muscle tension and to get a massage or have pain killers and muscle relaxers (which I refuse to take) thrown at the symptoms. After 2 years of spasms that gotten so bad that i could not turn my head to the left, accompanied by extreme pain, I finally found a specialist who knew what the signs were.. Just like Justin said, it was a problem in the central nervous system. Cervical Dystonia was the diagnosis. Not the best thing to find out, but atleast I finally got an answer to "why". I love your channel and your passion for sharing knowledge!! Thank you!!

[@lifewithsneha9807]

I have pain in my neck and shoulders as well. Doctors just give me pain killers. It's been very difficult.

[@oksanakaido8437]

After you got the diagnosis, did the specialist have any suggestions for what to do about it? I've had neck pain/tension for years, generally what has helped me are chiropractor adjustments and just staying active instead of spending hours at the computer (hard to do in my daily life, lol).

[@madhaviravoori6466]

Interesting. I had the same problems what you have described for years; use computer for work, long working hours made my pain worst. I went thru pain medication, muscle relaxers, chiropractor, MRI, steroid injections...relief is only for short period. Now, I'm taking physical therapy...not helping much, pain shifted from one shoulder to other. I will probably try magnesium supplements.

[@joanbaczek2575]

Same! What was the treatment?

[@chrisbowers1652]

@@joanbaczek2575 Botox injections every 3 months. Did them for about a year and a half, but the dosage got so high that they wanted to start the discussion on doing the Deep Brain Stimulation surgery. I won't do it. Period. All of the meds (levidopa, baclofen, etc.)had more side effects than benefits so I went the natural route about 6 years ago. Good diet, stretching regimen, and lots of hiking with my dog, helps to keep me moving. The pain is just something I've learned to deal with, some days are worse than others, but my daily dog walks help me push through.

[@laramccully3272]

So thought provoking! Here is what I have learned (from being in and out of the ER with my elderly mother and reading everything)... MAGNESIUM and lots of it, is required for muscles to relax (it regulates the glycolic pathway) and most of us can’t absorb as much as we need, from our diet or even by supplements because of the laxative effect it causes in most people. Also the test for it is a serum test and does not measure the amounts we have in our muscles/organs, etc. Magnesium controls how much calcium goes in the cell and we get way too much calcium and hardly any magnesium with the Standard American Diet. Also, our soils have been depleted of most minerals since the dirty thirties so even if people did eat a ton of beans, if the soil the beans are grown in don’t have magnesium, those beans won’t have it either. Anyway, I think muscle cramping is connected to lack of absorbable magnesium. This would be an easy and cheap fix for things far worse than just muscle cramping yet doctors just scoff when normal people suggest it. Also... I’ve got my pitchfork ready!😉

[@theanatomylab]

Fascinating! Also, I appreciate your pitchfork grabbing support 😁

[@frebrd78]

I'm 20+ years dx fibromyalgia, initially dx as myofacial syndrome all those years ago. Also knots in my back that won't release. Mri shows my thoracic spine is being pulled to the side of the major knots. Nothing helps. Massage is good for an hour but then my muscles snap back like a rubber band. The muscle can absorb some magnesium with Epson salt bath but not enough. Agree with the magnesium supplements as I've been an them for awhile and it just gives me a laxative effect. Also agree with the lab tests, they only show what is in the blood, not muscles. I believe a punch biopsy would need to be performed for further dx. I'm bedridden from fibro pain and exhaustion from anemia even with iron supplements. 😵‍💫

[@Miss_Elaine_]

Oh! That reminds me that the discovery of magnesium threonate was key to climbing out of the fibro/CFS hole I was in. I never ever have had gut problems with it and it did help immediately with fatigue then pain. Expensive but worth it.

[@RICDirector]

I know magnesium citrate, and potassium , supplements do seem to help considerably. I also take muscle relaxants to prevent my messed up neck from giving me intractable tension headaches. Takes management to get minimal knots and pain wiyhout risking either organ damage or addiction/habituation/high tolerance for meds.

[@laramccully3272]

@@frebrd78 I’m reading a book called the Magnesium Miracle and apparently “Remag” is a liquid form of Magnesium that is guaranteed to allow you to take therapeutic amounts with zero laxative effect. I’ve just ordered some, so we haven’t tried it yet but I am hopeful. It may be your answer too.🙂

[@briankendall6442]

Knots / adhesions are caused by tissue trauma (from all kinds of reasons: micro tears, repetitive movements with poor posture, altered neuromuscular communication, etc...) Tissue trauma causes the cumulative injury cycle. Your body's own protective mechanisms (like when you break a bone and calcification causes it to build back denser/stronger in that area). Inflammation / scar tissue cause the knots/adhesions (they feel like hard spots / tight balls in the muscle). Slow deep continuous pressure on the affected area / SMR causes autogenic inhibition (by stimulation of the golgi tendon organ) allowing the muscle to turn off / relax; As well as the pressure applied to the trigger point(s) helping to break up the hardened area. All of the above benefits of myofascial release then allow you to stretch the affected muscle(s), returning them back to normal length tension relationships; Inturn restoring proper posture / quality movement patterns. Myofascial release can (and in some circumstances should) be painful at first, but is SOOO worth all of the benefits! However!, if you do not then stretch/lengthen the hyperactive muscle(s), contract/strengthen the functional antagonist, AND integrate the force couple relationship around the affected joint into quality movement patterns, then all massage will do is give you temporary pain relief. If you are too lazy to then employ corrective exercise strategies you are doomed to be stuck in this vicious cycle...

[@alwehdathebestfc3576]

Ok

[@adelabrouchy]

And you need to learn methods for muscle relaxation and taking the life lighter. I've suffered from this problem since I was a teen ager, 60 years after I'm much better with lots of mild exercise and stretching even meditation with color in my affected areas. Free from analgesics for 30 years now. And I don't expect much more. Hoping permanent relief from pain is a non realistic goal that keeps you stressed . 💙 🍀🍀🍀

[@b1r2y3n]

Again there is no evidence to support your statements about the cause. It’s a nice idea but nice ideas aren’t science.

[@gracehall9199]

I have a knot in my shoulder, I put pressure on it, and it minimizes the intense pain, but only for a short period. It’s still there. I’ve been working in this knot for weeks, but not consistent. It’s gotten worse, so I’ve been consistent for 3 days now, and the pain is still there. But rolling it with tennis balls does reduce the pain, but not for 24 hours. I’ve been trying the press and hold for 30 seconds these past three days, so hopefully it will go away soon.

[@usman4256r]

بہت دنوں سے یہ معلومات ڈھونڈ رہا تھا۔ آپکا شکریہ

[@WandererFound]

I have Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and trigger points are a big contributor to my chronic pain. My muscles are trying to hold my wonky joints together. The same trigger points bother me most of the time. And even when they are not all balled up, the trigger points hurt when someone presses on them. Massage is really important to every day functioning for me. I would really like to see a video about EDS, especially if you happen to find a cadaver with EDS to help explain the mechanisms that contribute to the chronic pain of EDS so I can share the information with people and hopefully they can understand better. I love your channel! I am a nerd, too. This stuff fascinates me!

[@theanatomylab]

We have an EDS video planned! It's going to be a big one, considering how much goes into EDS, but be on the lookout!

[@eloisepharmacist]

@@theanatomylab I have EDS and so look forward to a video

[@johnathanabrams8434]

You will absolutely learn from this webinar kzbin.info/www/bejne/jnuVmaycnNZ7oc0

[@Saavycupcake]

I am a biopsych major who is going for my phd in trauma and psychedelic work. I myself have myofascial pain syndrome and complex ptsd. I love your video! Im so happy i found this channel to geek out to. It’s Saturday and all I want to do is learn more. Thank you!

[@bri276]

I notice muscle knots are more common in patients with a history of psychological trauma. The body is literally keeping the score!

[@The_Kirk_Lazarus]

You should do some research on the Fascial Distortion Model. It may prove useful.

[@sibestfunction4400]

how do you get education for something like this? im looking into a degree in something psychology but im looking for something niche and interesting or cutting edge.

[@Saavycupcake]

@@sibestfunction4400 hello:) I first did pre-Med but was in an accident that caused me to be disabled, but had bio, anatomy and Phys, some Chem classes. Then the bachelors was in psych and minor in stats. During bachelors if you want to go into research, it’s beneficial if you look for undergraduate lab work. Sometimes your school has a undergrad research program, where you can be matched w a professor and do research or be sent to another school. I seriously began emailing other schools, too, to ask if they needed a student in their lab. For grad school/phd, you can look for a program in neuroscience/ behavioral neuroscience, health psychology, psychoneuroimmunology, biopsychology or even if you want to go into clinical psychology and find a program that specifically focuses on trauma and has labs which work on psychedelics. Example, I’m in California and Stanford, UCSF, and IC Davis are among some schools where professors have research labs which are working on psychedelic research. You can join them through a program. I hope this makes some sense as I just woke up, haha. A bit fuzzy still.

[@KristianBayMyLife]

@@sibestfunction4400untested waters. Be one of the first. Let me know if you do a study!

[@duplicityustin3400]

As a massage therapy student I can say there are certain things you might do to increase chances of getting knots; like overuse, overstretching, extreme temperatures (specifically cold), trauma. But that’s just to list a few. There are also different types of trigger points. They can be active where they’re painful even in resting position, or they can be latent, which means they essentially lay dormant until you provoke them. Number of trigger points and how easily they can be found varies from person to person!

[@B_Bodziak]

Cold surprises me since it seems it's often prescribed for muscle pains

[@EzCarebox]

I would not Say Cold perse it’s the Dosage of it. there are areas of every impulse that can be handled, u can take Cold u can take heat, If it’s too Cold u will get hurt of it’s too hot u get Hurt. There is like a proverb: the dose Makes the poison.

[@shortycareface9678]

I once had two dormant knots in my trapezius. Didn't notice they were there, until someone pressed on them. Then they were bugging me for days afterwards.

[@juanjosefarina]

@@B_Bodziak ice (from the RICE protocol) was prescribed for reducing inflammation which reduces pain. From what I've read it is actually being debated how useful it is to apply cold/ice when trying to heal an injury because it essentially stops/slows down the inflammation process that the tissues need to heal.

[@EzCarebox]

@@juanjosefarina i think u are Right in certain degree, there should be still some consideration. Inflammation is there for a reason, the problem with ist mostly is that it will not Stay in the „damaged“ area, it will spread into the Surrounding areas in which it is a) not Needed, b) surpress metabolism. In my eyes an car accident on a Highway is an good example to be Used as a metaphor for this. U want the participating Cars gone from the Highway, how can or will this be achieved? By gettin the helping forces as quick as possible (emergency lane). I once read an artical about using both warmth and cold to optimize regeneration after sport accidents (for example Torn ligaments).

[@hanasagarin2788]

Thank you for doing a video on trigger points! My hypothesis is that they start out as simply aggravated and inflamed muscles from getting overworked and undersupplied, which then become places of actual muscle tissue damage, like scar tissue. This explains why they tend to develop in the same places on different people and why they might still hurt after getting paralyzed.

[@AdorableUrban]

Agree and also could be calcium stuck inside the scar tissues that no matter how many hard massages you do the muscle just does not soften up!! Many times I would love to just get someone to put me to sleep and stab the area with a knife or a tool and force some fkn blood into it😢 no doctor I have asked knows what to do!! I did a big treatment placing Botox all around the muscles shoulder area and nothing helped!

[@afrancis7475]

The mind-body connection plays a fundamental role.

[@animallvr4]

As a chronic pain and fibromyalgia sufferer I have lots of trigger points and they are painful and chronic. Some meds help, but I get the most relief from deep tissue massage, it’s only temporary but every bit helps. I long for the day when scientists can figure out this pain process. Thanks for the explanation. 😊

[@Glittertrut]

I got Fibromyalgia myself, I find that lying on those spiky mats really helps with the issues, only temporary tho. But for like 20-30 euro its worth it for me. If with bare skin is too sensitive I put on a shirt and lie on it, still works but a little less extreme

[@strangerthings88]

Try rolfing

[@auberjean6873]

@@Glittertrut thank you for the idea!

[@Saavycupcake]

I did transcranial magnetic stimulation (tms) for my depression and it ended up helping my fibromyalgia. I love that darn machine, it’s amazing. Did sooo much more than any anti depressant and didn’t have bad side effects. Now, I’m microdosing psilocybin and I don’t use my tramadol as much. So cool to have modalities available. If only we could all have access to it, though. Botox does help my trigger points, as I don’t do TMS anymore.

[@Road2PBATour]

Not trying to be rude or come off that way. I'm just trying to educate because I am a licensed medical massage therapist. I work with a lot of fibro clients. What you have are tender points and there is a difference between trigger points and tender points. If you were actually diagnosed with fibro there are about 18 tender points that indicate fibro diagnoses. I want to educate because I can't tell you how many times I have diagnosed fibro clients tell me I have all these trigger points that won't go away but they are instead tender points. I hope this helps. I've also had fibro clients who can't withstand the pressure of a finger and some who can take on a steam roller.

[@emilianoruiz5282]

I’ve been on a self correction journey from horrible posture and so many muscle knots All over my body, I feel like it’s definitely having to do with the brain and spine, along with muscle imbalances and weakness, I’ve noticed that the body is one giant machine that always try’s to balance itself, if your left pec is tight then your body will raise your right shoulder slightly in order to stay balanced and keep pressure off the spinal cord, or if your leg leg is rotated inward your body will rotate the other leg outward, after some time the skeleton will adjust and that’s how you get unaligned SI joints and twisted spine and pelvis

[@emilianoruiz5282]

I’ve also noticed it takes many things to get relief, not just exercise, not just stretching, it’s everything from proper rest to getting the proper nutrients your muscles need

[@jiridolezal3042]

Go check FLOBILITY, it might give you some insight :)

[@nadathomas7936]

You are very right that happened with my

[@coldloyalty]

Great video, remember a good teacher provides answers. A great teacher inspires curiosity

[@pauligrossinoz]

One thing I've discovered with these knots is: *If I **_don't_** poke/massage them, then they slowly grow worse and worse and affect more and more nearby muscles!* I _have_ to do the poking and massaging or else the pain seems to slowly consume nearby muscles until it becomes truly debilitating. _Who else has this experience?_

[@pr0faker]

lack of proper energy delivery, either caused by too little fluids (so drinking water tends to help prevent cramps) and prolonged misuse of that muscle causing some form of deficit either energy, neuron connection feedback, or those proteins seems to me what causes that, and it can be due to multiple causes. The fact masaging it helps, is in my opinion that its helping bloodflow getting back in that spot, the fibers get moved around by force since they are stuck in some contracted way and after giving it enough attention it gets back to normal situation and thus the pain goes away, but its usually still pretty sore the day after so there is some form of risidual clean up of either waste stuff or inflamation getting in there.

[@Drizzymusiq]

Hey you if you're reading this hope all is well and have a great day please. Love the life videos.

[@mikie_0456]

first comment isnt someone saying "first" no way

[@rhys2792]

@@mikie_0456 ironically I'm going to say this: third comment.

[@maar5929]

In May, I had a terrible migraine attack, while on it, I got Covid. I also suffered from fibromyalgia. My body turned in to a fetal position due to joint/muscle pain. Since then, I have constant muscle knots on my neck, shoulders and chest. I have tried chiropractor, massage, acupuncture and physical therapy. All treatments helped temporarily. If you need a test subject, I volunteer. It sucks to live with knots that will not go away. Thank you.

[@TomasWatchReviews]

just a random thought. Have you tried smoking marihuana as a treatment? Might relax you enough over some period of treatment.

[@maar5929]

Yikes, never thought about it.

[@theanatomylab]

Wow! Muscle tension can be extremely painful, for sure

[@frebrd78]

I am 20+ years dx fibromyalgia with same issues, knots in the shoulders down the thoracic spinal area. I've been bedridden with pain and exhaustion. And I'm only 44. Chronic pain is awful. 😖

[@frebrd78]

@@TomasWatchReviews Pot just numbs the mind. If anything research into full spectrum cbd. There are other cannabinoid isolates being tested also, cbg, cba cbn. 👍

[@DivergentDiveBomb]

I have a connective tissue disease called Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome. Hearing that fascia have dense nociceptors is very intriguing. It would certainly explain a major aspect of our chronic pain and muscle tension. Thank you for the excellent info!

[@kristenpaz]

I was looking for someone else with EDS! My left SI is hypermobile and causes all my surrounding muscles (QL, psoas, glute, IT band) to do the job of my ligaments. I have gone to SO much therapy, including trigger point injections, to correct this and it always comes back. I’ve considered fusion, but I’m still able to function and believe surgery should be an absolute last resort.

[@emilybeckett1753]

Hey, I also have EDS! My SI joint causes me tremendous pain as well. I wear a brace to help me walk with less pain. I also have scoliosis and my spine was fused T4-L5 when I was 9. I would tell you to do everything you can to avoid surgery. I found a chiropractor who does Graston on my fascia and that helps. A spine surgeon told me I was going to need to fuse the remainder of my spine if I couldn’t get my muscles stronger. I started doing Pilates and that has helped my pain and enabled me to carry my joints around better. I saved up for years to buy a reformer and it is so beneficial because it supports you while still allowing you to build strength. I struggle so much with daily pain and I’m sure you do as well. God bless you!

[@kristenpaz]

@@emilybeckett1753 Thank you! I’m actually doing the best I have in 10 years, but I must avoid certain movements like pushing-especially while bent forward. My chiro was helpful each time I needed my uplift manually adjusted. My leg would always be an inch shorter before he corrected it. I also go on daily walks and use a TENS unit and massage gun to ease the muscle pain. My pain doctor has me on a daily dose of Meloxicam to help with inflammation, but sometimes it gets so inflamed I can barely walk. One day at a time…

[@emilybeckett1753]

@@kristenpaz one day at a time, exactly!

[@LunarVixen]

me too! as my physio put it.. my ligaments and tendons are just for show.. my SI is so hypermobile.. and my L4 and L5 are in slight scoliosis.. my ankles are even worse... but with fibromyalgia.. it's difficult to get relief.. cant rekax muscles too much cause they are doing the job of ligaments and tendons too..

[@Ash.Par1391]

I am a massage therapist student in my 2nd year. My client yesterday had tiny adhesions in his Gastrocs and Hamstrings that resembled bubble wrap.

[@VolleKwark]

I had one a year ago due to being punched on the jaw while boxing. Had a lot of pain for around 2 weeks until a physiotherapist released the pain by, indeed, putting pressure on it.

[@zinaustro]

I'd love to see a followup on dry needling trigger points/muscle knots!

[@PopsMdub]

Dry needling along with light massage has worked wonders on my trigger points in both reducing and eliminating pain and inflammation of the affected tissue. It does typically take 2 to 3 treatments sometimes to get complete relief. I also stretch the affected area attempting to isolate the trigger point muscle as much as possible. Works for me. Maybe give it a try and see if it does for you too.

[@nadiabarrett5195]

I have TMJ and when my dentist recommended botox, she explained that while it paralyzes the muscles, the pain relief comes from allowing the muscles time to heal and weaken. So it's not the botox that provides pain relief, rather it's via the botox that we can enable to body to heal itself. Haven't been able to try the botox yet, but I can definitely speak to the power (and necessity) of regular maintenance deep tissue massage.

[@OorahhColeman]

I also have tmj but they just gave me muscle relaxers for it?

[@nadiabarrett5195]

@@OorahhColeman where I am, the botox is very expensive (hence, having not tried it yet)...maybe muscle relaxers are the alternative? I do take them when I get lock jaw os tension headaches, so for me they are only a temporary relief measure.

[@OorahhColeman]

@@nadiabarrett5195 my mom has a rare eye condition and gets Botox injections prescribed to her

[@katischuda9455]

How does the botox work for TMJ? I also have it but the doctor just prescribed physical therapy.

[@nadiabarrett5195]

@@katischuda9455 as I understand it, there are two main problems with TMJ. 1) the cartilage in the joint is worn down or out of place (which I think is irreversible) 2) the masseter muscles in your jaw are WAY overdeveloped and super tight (usually from grinding your teeth or holding stress). Botox paralyzes the masseter muscles (not enough muscles to prevent you from talking, etc). and over time the they weaken and loosen and go back to a normal size. The reduces pain (I've heard it's quite effective) and can stop lock jaw and your jaw constantly slipping out of joint. But please make sure you do your own research and talk to professionals, I'm only passing on what I learned.

[@ironheavenz]

I'm surprised nobody ever mentioned this to me but in my experience doing exercises that rely on back muscles (like pull-ups and push-ups) release the tension in my muscles and the pain Generally when I get neck pain I do a bunch of different push-ups and it'll get a little bit better in minutes Maybe I'm just weird or maybe it's placebo but hey, it works for me

[@Slightly_Classy]

This is the same for me. When my low back is sore, I do several glute strengthening exercises and the pain goes away!

[@JK-sz1xy]

Same for me too

[@jennipl]

It might be because of the increase of blood flow to the muscles in pain bringing the ATP necessary to release the muscle tension. In kinesiology, we use cardio to help patient with chronic pain

[@syzygy4365]

That's not as weird as you'd think. That's actually a healthy sign and it means blood is able to flow to that area.

[@gerryglauser2394]

He said two people often can't find the exact same trigger point. Over two decades I've had four good chiros who did trigger point message. Most of the points they found were completely the same. Later not finding a suitable chiro, I bought a Thera Cane and handled it myself, just slower and taking longer.

[@angelchristensen4613]

I had PT before and they had this video I watched about how the body and mind can go into fight mode basically the brain thinks the body is at risk/unsafe causing overall tension.

[@yomeiko]

When I was drawing nonstop because of many art commissions, I was having so many knots around my cervical spine and lumbar spine areas. For me, they are the kind of pain that burns and feels like it's spreading around the original point.

[@rickj1983]

Great video as always. The amount of information you provide at a level us laymen can understand is amazing.

[@veritas1]

Hi Justin, I am a researcher, and I have done all my Ph.D. on work-related MSDs. As a matter of fact, our group does a lot of research on trigger points, and I agree with you on the causes and may add that perhaps there is a phantom pain type phenomenon also involved. Great video! Cheers.

[@Rokmds]

Nothing ever goes away until it has taught us what we need to know.

[@yuliiarodionova9425]

I have been doing pole dance for 3 years, and after that, my back muscles started just to in pain of any exercises I did. I tried everything: massage, acupuncture, stop exercising, I went to different types of physio therapists. All of these helped but temporarily. When I started to study by myself, the anatomy and I figured out what could help. So my pectorals are shortened and tight, and my romboids are weak and lengthens . So what helped me : 1. Stretching all body especially back , 2 going to the gym to train all groups of muscles and plus special exercises from physio therapist, that was prescribed to my romboids and trapezius. Now I could even start back doing pole dance again . The stretching of muscles gives immense relief for me

[@CaffeineAndMylanta]

I had Botox injections into some muscle nots in my upper back. It did relieve tension, and I got some mild pain release but it also causes the affected muscles to atrophy a bit. Long term the loss of strength caused me more pain. For me, the most effective treatment has been the use of PT and massage therapy to relieve pain while developing strength.

[@Nickyknits]

As someone with chronic pain and have tried botox injections I found this really interesting. Thanks

[@RICDirector]

Did it seem to help?

[@Iyana]

I did the same thing for my Vaginismus, it helped me progress through curing it so much!

[@mellimel1174]

Where did you find a practitioner? I’m on the East coast US.

[@cassandralyris4918]

My physical therapist actually has a fairly working theory on what muscle knots are (keep in mind this is just a hypothesis, and I am NOT trying to spread mis- or disinformation): Basically relaxing a muscle requires energy, and if you don't have enough energy your muscle will stay contracted and once this over exerted muscle can finally relax it's essentially a bleeding mess and balls up to heal itself. I have hypophosphatemia and I make muscle knots like you would NOT believe. Anyways, another great video. Hope you start feeling better soon. 🤗

[@potapotapotapotapotapota]

Is this also why holding your breath after exhaling (like a sigh) makes muscles relax? It's like a sudden drop in oxygen - which the muscle needs to contract

[@BigGreezyJake]

I like that theory! The myofascia could cause this to happen as it can impede blood and nutrient flow and cause muscles to becoming tonic. Look into Kinetic Chain Release therapy- an accredited practitioner is preferable

[@monnoo8221]

@@potapotapotapotapotapota No this is not the case. You need O2 for reverting ATP from ADP. Also, O2 does not drop "suddenly" if you hold your breath. Exhaling stimulates the parasympathicus (vagus), which is way breathing is so important in yoga (prayanama).

[@hotrodblonde]

If you could do a video on cramps and talk about lactic acid buildup, that would rock!

[@CuBeKilla]

While working as Physical Therapy Technician I’ve found that TP therapy- with an emphasis on the wait time. (2-5minutes) then we go through corrective exercises that can help to take some of those lengthening:shortening tendencies away. Obviously, stretching the muscle and applying pressure to the TP has also seemed to give me great results across a pool of 200 patients. In my post grad for DPT I’m going to produce a thesis on this..

[@jimbelter2]

My opinion is that you have a hyper contraction of muscle fibers compared to that of surrounding ones. Because they are contracting much more than the surrounding fibers, they begin to pull tighter onto themselves and bunch together thus causing a strain in that area because they aren't all working in sync. It's possible that massage therapy is pulling those fibers apart and allowing the contractions to return to their normal position which releases the tension knot, possibly from an overactive nerve signal that's causing this tightening in the first place

[@theanatomylab]

Interesting thought!

[@jimbelter2]

@@theanatomylab then go prove that theory and write a paper on it! 😅 Get better Justin and thanks for such an interesting video. It got my mind thinking just like all of the videos the channel puts out, that's why I enjoy it so much

[@HesderOleh]

If that is the case, then shouldn't botox fix it?

[@jimbelter2]

@@HesderOleh it may not because it's a single muscle fiber or a select few causing this issue. If it doesn't go deep enough or reach the affected area it may not do anything for the condition

[@krisrhebergen]

I’m definitely on your side with finding the cause. If I was to actually seek relief I’d have to have a deep tissue massage every day multiple times a day. They come back hard core within hours of being released.

[@TravelersParadise]

I have been getting Botox for the past 2 years for muscle pain and it does help but temporarily. It last for about 2 to 3 months. I feel stretching is the ultimate way to get some relief.

[@estyron27858]

Please look into something called "dry needling" ... it's like an instant massage and completely gets rid of the knots and, subsequently, the pain! ❤

[@pwsoultrainn4090]

There is so much info given in this video and comments . When i was younger i was on a job that required pulling with my right arm and twisting my body at the same time. Done that for 2 years. I then got a dull pain in lower back which i have had for 40 years now..... When i work i dont feel a thing .. i lift heavy objects, im pretty flexible its only when i relax that the pain comes to surface . doctors, therapists could not give me answers...i learnt to live with pain but Recently i got this painful spasm on my right lower side due to overworking of those muscles..I ve been off work for 2 weeks now and have been searching youtube for answers...... So thank you to the institute and everybody here who has commented .. this info is gold...

[@peacenholiness6855]

I'd recommend daily meditation and Epson salt baths.

[@CynfulExotics]

I'd love a cervical lordosis video. My neck muscles and traps feel like crap. Even my left side of jaw pulls and twitches on an extra bad day. Plus the dizziness and nausea I get from it sometimes. Ugh just got diagnosed about two months ago.

[@theanatomylab]

We'll add it to our list!

[@irmaradinson2320]

I have cervical dystonia where my muscles contracts involuntarily. Botox never worked on me due bad side effects.

[@CynfulExotics]

@@irmaradinson2320 I've never heard of that. I googled and it sounds absolutely horrible. So sorry you have to go through that.

[@ChubbyUnicorn]

Oh my goodness, Me too! Cervicogenic dizzyness, etc. it is awful. I've pin pointed it to my Scalene muscles which are in constant cramp and affect traps, rhomboids, base of skull...crazy how tiny muscles can affect your whole system! Figured out my constant cold & sinus stuff is also tied to cervicogenic issue. so bizarre!

[@CynfulExotics]

@@ChubbyUnicorn You described mine perfectly! Plus the headaches! Mine is mostly my left side. My traps are hard as diamonds.

[@bobbyward24]

Awesome video. Very informative. Im a licensed massage therapist and I love this channel. Keep up the good work!

[@theanatomylab]

Thank you! Will do!

[@digitalobserved]

@bobbyward24 Can you give any tips/advice on how to massage the gluteal area without hurting ones thumbs, because some of these muscles lie so deep

[@bobbyward24]

@@digitalobserved yes your elbows. Your elbows will allow you to cover more surface area and also penertrate the deeper muscles in the glutes. Compression techniques on the glutes using the elbow feels nice 👌

[@Volkswagenitalia.]

Justin! THANK YOU! I frequently experience muscle knots in the trapezius area and have always wondered what’s going on inside of my body when they happen.

[@theanatomylab]

Glad to hear it! Well, not about the knots, lol

[@anthonydominguez6005]

Mine are set off from propping my head up on a pillow, even just using a pillow over night sometimes

[@etdna9219]

I’m with you brother. I think about these things all the time too. Fortunately I figured out how to fix them. My observation is that it comes down to the exact technique and pressure that’s used, and almost no two therapists will do it the same.

[@ngilbert2954]

From someone who suffers with EDS, this is definitely an important topic for research! Personally, dry needling is the only thing that will release mine. Would love to one day know the science behind trigger points!

[@sonoftheking831]

Does dry cupping work for you as well?

[@Desert_Dreamer24]

Currently I have pneumonia and a sinus infection, if you haven’t already, could you talk on those situations? What they are, how it affects the body, and whatnot?? Thank you SO MUCH. Just recently found your channel and am so thankful I did. I’m currently a nursing student ❤️

[@theanatomylab]

Sorry to hear that! We haven't done anything specifically on sinus infections, but we do have a video on pneumonia. kzbin.info/www/bejne/hWmpoqefg89jipY

[@Ajuintje]

Thanks for the interesting videos, it still makes me productive during my rest moments.

[@theanatomylab]

Glad to hear it!

[@kendo888]

Love the content of this video. A a PT instructor I feel that you have a great balance between giving insight into minute details while still helping to focus on the broader and more practical concepts

[@AllTheJCs]

I'm watching this video because I went for a massage yesterday and the massage therapist spent about 10 minutes (felt like an eternity) pushing out knots in my traps. It made me curious to know what knots actually are. Thank you for the very informative video!

[@jacquikopiasz1279]

I really admire the fact you put so much into educating people with very useful information. I think having the visuals along with it has been extraordinary helpful for understanding also. All the way around I really love the show. please keep it up 🙂

[@hitokage4]

I have a condition that makes this video even more fascinating to watch. Oromandibular dystonia is when the muscles of the face (specifically the jaw in my case) involuntarily contract. It is believed that abnormalities of dopamine and acetylcholine are the reason why this occurs! Due to the constant contractions, it is an incredibly painful condition that interestingly enough IS helped by Botox in many cases, which is interesting as it sits opposite of what's mentioned in the video. It often causes severe muscle knots in connected areas - my shoulder is a horrific knot - that we have not found any solution to easing the knot at all. Sadly, there's no fixing the condition, but a lot of attempts to try and help the pain.

[@skiak004]

Hope you're feeling much better, Justin. As an athlete, I really appreciate your way of explaining anatomy and physiology.

[@heathermcallister1989]

I have always viewed knots as either sticky fibers that became that way due to use and tension. The more use/tension the muscle has, the less blood/nutrition and oxygen gets to the muscle or scar tissue the smaller fibers tear and repair causing buildup and again blocking the blood and oxygen to keeping the muscle healthy. I don't think all knots are trigger points, but many can be. Just my thoughts.

[@queenofpents3442]

I'm a sports & medical massage therapist that does deep tissue and specializes in trigger point therapy. From my experience, when im working on a tissue, palpation is key. I can feel myofascial restrictions in the tissue and by applying pressure it does move itself and unstick itself, its quite a fascinating sensation. I've gotten many people loosened up and i always describe it as your musckes are all stuck together literally (I'm talking to you levator scapula and rhomboids) and the Active Release I so combine with trigger point peels the muscles off each other. So sometimes adhesions are not knots or bumps, bur muscles sticking together when they shouldn't. Prime example is the IT band. Vastus lateralis and those damn hamstring love to stick to each other. Wouldn’t call that a knot, more myofascial restrictions. Anyways fascinating video and topic

[@DarrenChen]

This is super important to find out! A shot in the dark but I suspect it has something to do with our mind and how emotions are stored in the body. Would love to see a study of whether experienced monks have lots of muscle knots.

[@MrJeronlewis]

In my opinion, dry needling is the best treatment for this. That's been my experience anyway. Uncomfortable but worth it.

[@wendellhoward884]

I really appreciate your objective approach. Thanks. Very informative.

[@chrisp9012]

Super interesting. Thanks! I get wicked cramps in my legs. Potassium helps me.

[@The_Cosmic_Shaman_1972]

Dude! this makes so much sense!!!! I have a fibromyalgia diagnosis that presents with a lot of knots in my back. I am also a Reiki Master and all this just blew my mind and made a million things click all at the same time.

[@Reiylan]

As someone with severe chronic undiagnosed (muscle? connective tissue?) pain, I really appreciate you giving this problem more exposure. This has also taught me a lot and has given me new ideas for how to relieve my pain. Funnily enough, you did a brilliant job at educating me why the Botox injections really didn't work for my pain! :)

[@chloemckean8239]

Ehlers danlos?

[@khayyam741]

Please make a video on how nicotine effects the body. You already have described how cigarettes effect the body but nicotine was not covered in it and since there are a lot of other ways people can take nicotine the knowledge would be beneficial for us all.

[@theanatomylab]

We'll add it to our list!

[@khayyam741]

@@theanatomylab thanks

[@cs292]

I think pressing on it may not get oxygen to the area immediately, but eventually it does…a muscle cramp doesn’t going away initially in your leg until you massage it and get fluids.

[@woodlefoof2]

One tip for a muscle cramp is to use its antagonist muscle. I.e if you have a tricep cramp start doing a curl. Our bodies know to relax a muscle when the other muscle is trying to move the bone

[@NofirstnameNolastname]

I've developed these knots in my entire body. There's almost no muscle which doesn't have knots that cause me pain. And I've been through every examination etc there is and they have no idea why it happens. The only thing that works is dry needling and exercise. I've been dry needled in literally hundreds of locations over a span of 6 years now. It's saved my life because it was unbearable before. I would be the perfect test subject because I have so much experience with it and also according to my therapist it's totally unique how I'm able to pinpoint all the locations even if the needle is like 5cm deep in my body. I can still say which direction he needs to steer the needle.

[@riverdream5792]

As a massage therapist I like the perspective that the pain is cased from inflammation which is ultimately a lymphatic problem. Dr Perry Nickelston is a good source to learn this. It makes sense from this perspective because inflammation is excessive fluid. So if that’s causing pain putting in pressure on it will hurt more.

[@recipehacker9752]

You’re a total boss….a very humble one, at that.

[@amandagardiner6065]

You guys should do a video on ehlers danlos syndrome. I deal with ehlers danlos shenanigans daily and you guys have SUCH GOOD EDUCATIONAL CONTENT. It would be nice to have a good video to show people so they understand 😩. I can't seem to make people understand that their isn't anything that can really be done outside of physical therapy.

[@VaurionX]

I struggle with it too. I agree a video on it would be nice. Unfortunately there isn’t much information on EDS. I’ve found even with visiting an EDS specialist that you are sort of on your own and have to experiment with what works. Daily moderate stretching, eating well, regular exercise, chiropractic care, and occasional percussion massager use have all been helpful in reducing my pain.

[@DRSEDA]

🙌Finally, after extensive research and clinical experience, it has become clear that muscle knots are not merely an inconvenience, but rather a clever protective response to injured tissue - much like the "pulled muscle" phenomenon. While this mechanism serves to protect the area by limiting movement, if it doesn't heal after a few days, the pain persists and it can develop into a chronic contraction. No massage therapy or other techniques from the outside have been permanently successful. Despite attempts to alleviate the pain with Botox-induced muscle relaxation, the underlying injury may still persist and therefore, the pain remains. Fortunately, it has been discovered that with ozone (activated oxygen) injections, not only permanently relax these knots, but also correct the underlying injury for a complete resolution of pain for 80-90% based on studies and clinical experience.

[@jolynnjohnson2393]

As a migraine sufferer I would benefit emencly from getting botox injections on my forehead temples and back of neck! It did decrease pain on those areas where I usually got knots!

[@peacenholiness6855]

🧘‍♂️🙏☯️

[@maxscriptguru]

Massage therapists have been my lifeline!

[@elizabethforsyth3054]

thank you for this information. Would love to hear your theory on fibromyalgia... a whole body triggerpoint! hope you feel better soon.

[@Annie_Annie__]

This. When he said most people probably don’t care because you can work our a knot, I was like “but I can’t!” Lol. And I have 2 trigger points on my upper back that if someone just touches me in that general area, it feels like I got whacked with a baseball bat on fire. They don’t go away. Some days are worse than others (some days I can’t wear a bra because it touches the trigger points and brings me to my knees in pain), but they’re never gone. If I could see them I would draw circles around them. I also get random muscle spasms in my back and in my legs every few days that are terribly painful. I’m always in some amount of background pain, but the sudden spasms send it through the roof. It takes hours or a full day to recover because I’m so sore even after it stops. And when I bring it up to my doctors, they just say “yup, that’s fibromyalgia. Can’t do anything about it besides the meds you’re already taking.” As if being in constant, debilitating pain is the same as having a stubbed toe. 🙄

[@JohnWhitworth]

@@Annie_Annie__ try researching Low Dose Naltrexone. It can really help with chronic pain due to fibromyalgia and other conditions. It's relatively unknown to most doctors but is recently picking up traction.

[@worldsokayestmedic4568]

​This episode has been my favorite of all! I really enjoyed the thoughtful "troubleshooting" approach you took to a phenomenon I've both suffered from and treated in many, many patients. In fact, I've had patients for whom the release of just a few TrPs has led to a complete resolution cardiac symptoms (to the amazement of emergency department staff) as well as the resolution of dysfunctional shoulder syndromes that had been plaguing them for years! I really loved the brilliant acetylcholine experiment, and yeah, how puzzling! Regardless of cause, the premise that compression was the cause of nerve issues has been a central theme! In the end, the more hypotheses (and treatment approaches) that exist, the less well understood the problem. Your hypothesis is as good as that of anyone else and comes close to that of the great Karel Lewit who hypothesized TrPs are the result of some sort of CNS-detected instability, with localized spasms being an attempt at regaining stability. Thanks for a great video and for an honest (scientific) approach!

[@johnd.9]

Justin, working through a sore throat to give us yet another informative video that is explained in such an accessible way. Way to take one for the team. I love how you give us a little bit about yourself in almost every video. That makes you ever more adorable and awesome, and makes your instruction more engaging. Keep doing what you do so well. 💯👏👍🇨🇦

[@toddrichardson8595]

People should check out the channel Mondragon Chiropractic. She's like Justin and Jon. Absolutely amazing. She has patients come from all over the Country to see her for problems like he's discussing.

[@emmadawson2147]

I think it is the brain, I’ve had an injury that affected my fascia and muscles in my leg and I used a number of things to rebuild and strengthen that area. Firstly I flushed out the toxins in my body - with water and natural foods, I used strengthening muscle exercises - especially glute strengthening. I listened to fascia frequency healing on headphones which is alternating sound to brain signals, I had shock waves treatment via a physio and walked and swam regularly had sports massage but avoided deep tissue as it can be too stressful on the muscle And now I’m on the road to recovery feeling so much better with these techniques. Also I would say instead of rejecting that part of your body as broken - reclaim it as loved and cared for as inner healing works by giving love to your own body. But the brain is the power centre so get your heart working in co ordination with your mind too. Heart and mind working together. Spend time in relaxation - with a symbiotic relationship flowing between the two.

[@familypedro8]

This is so awesome, I'm currently taking a anatomy and physiology class. And I am so glad to say that I understand almost everything you said. It clicked on what you were saying and explaining. So keep up the great work can't wait for the next videos!

[@BigRick50]

Probably one of the best group discussions I've ever had was during a Myofascial dry needling course I did many years ago. It was a very knowledgeable and diverse group of experienced Therapists being taught by an ex University Professor. Exactly these topics were discussed. What are trigger points and what causes them? Most of what you said was also put forward in that group discussion. I believe most of what is/was described as cause is actually symptom. If you keep asking the question "what is the cause of that?" you can eventually get closer to the actual cause of almost all of the MSK ailments that have plagued humans since we became humans. We are created and maintained through a highly specific lifestyle and set of behaviours and it's the lack of that lifestyle and behaviours that creates almost all of the human races MSK dysfunction and degeneration.

[@dennisdye7270]

I am a 30 yr distance runner and I created a ton of knots in one calf with one evening of excessive stretching. Only happened to one calf. I had run a half marathon a few weeks before and the next day after the stretching, I could only walk 200 feet at a brisk pace before my one calf would tighten with excessive pain. A physical therapist suggested dry needling and it worked wonders. Took many visits to work through different areas of my calf, but it cured it and has not come back. At least one clear cause and cure in my case.

[@carolkirei6132]

Get well Justin...

[@theanatomylab]

I'm getting there, slowly but surely...

[@timmanning5206]

Rage full science is the best science. Only had a passing interest in the subject but your approach is refreshingly honest and well presented. Great vid

[@TheJparral]

Ive had chronic pain in my head for 4 years now. I have had digestion issues, low stomach acid. Many trigger points in the scalene muscles and ultimately found out that the reason my scalene was tight was due to a huge knot in my tricep, bicep area which I am still working to relax. The scalene being tight cause me to have a tight occipital nerve causing all the pain. I can also tell that there is a tight nerve in my spinal cord. My hands use to burn and I had gotten tested for Carpal tunnel and arthritis. Both came back negative. Turns out my median and radical nerves were tight. Did some stretches and a lot of trigger points later, that nerve released and my hands stopped burning. Found out also that tight triceps was also contributing to my hands burning. The one thing I would recommend is to teach yourself about trigger points and how nerves, muscles all work together. I do believe many diseases can be cured by this and many people will experience knots or trigger points. Its been a very painful journey but this research will help me and others.