Virtually everyone is familiar with the experience of muscle cramps or knots. We usually deal with them by suffering through the pain, stretching it out, letting it pass, or not give much thought to what caused the pain in the first place. But the pain is caused by muscle knots, or myfascial trigger points. These are muscle groups which become so constricted that they cause considerably pain.
The reason why these knots form in the first place is not really known for sure, though there are some good theories. The most widely accepted opinion is that the knots form due to an abnormal collection of protein caused by the muscles releasing lactic acid. In other words, the muscle knot is a muscle that was previously strained and now unwilling to simply relax. Many believe that this comes about due to some kind of pulled muscle, but another major contributing factor is a lack of regular exercise.
If muscle knots occur repeatedly in a short period of time you should see a doctor, but if they are merely isolated incidents you can treat the problem quite easily yourself. One thing to do is apply heat to the knotted muscle; heat usually relaxes the strained muscle immediately. However if you think the knot is a result of an injury then it is better to stay away from heat and opt for a cold compress instead.
Many people suffer muscle knots in the back of their neck, and this particular problem has a special solution: lie down on the floor and put a tennis ball underneath of the back of your neck, then roll around on the ball for a little while as your neck muscles relax. Knots can also be treated simply with massage; a professional masseuse can do wonders for knotted muscles.
There are also nutritional considerations when it comes to knotted muscles, sometimes they can simply be the result of a deficiency in nutrients like potassium. If you think this may be the cause, quickly eat a few bananas. Even if you aren't sure you might as well have some bananas, in general it is important to ensure that you are getting sufficient potassium and other vitamins and minerals which protect your muscles
from injury.
Dehydration is also a common cause of knots, so make sure you drink lots of water if you're getting cramps or muscle knots, and drink lots of water before exercise to prevent them from occurring in the first place.
