Not a Knot

The common term “knots” is misleading and we avoid using it. Muscles are not string, and they never get tangled or tied. These are adhesions.

When muscles and fascia become dehydrated and tense, blood and lymph can’t circulate well. The muscle fibers and sheets of fascia that surround them should slide smoothly past each other, with plenty of fluid to flush through and take out the metabolic waste. Dehydrated, these become more like velcro, clinging to each other and making movement difficult. That’s an adhesion. It’s called that because stuff is stuck together, like adhesive.

It can feel like a taut band or a stiff lump that feels tender but satisfying when pressed. Ask your massage therapist how to deal with these uncomfortable spots. (Hint: Drink water. More than you think.) Your therapist will consider including trigger point release and/or muscle energy technique in your treatment plan, if it’s right for you. Consider tools like hot stones, scrapers, or cups to address adhesions.