Knots in Neck

The scientific name given to muscle knots, in general, is myofascial trigger points. It can be described as a condition where spots of tight or tensed muscles are formed. They can form in almost any part of the body like back, neck, hips, etc. You can get knots in neck all of a sudden while sleeping or when you are trying to reach out to a high shelf. This gives rise to a sharp neck pain which tend to get aggravated when one tries to move the neck.

How do Knots Form in the Neck?

When we are moving our body for normal activities, different groups of muscles of the neck and back work in a cycle. In other words, none of the muscles are working constantly. They are continuously changing from active mode to passive mode in cycles. When any of these muscles sustain injury, then muscle spasm occurs which gives a tight feel in the neck which may or may not be accompanied by pain. This condition compels the injured muscles to stay active round the clock. As a result, the muscle is unable to relax. If this abnormal state lasts for some time, the affected neck muscle gets overloaded and knots are formed. It can be triggered by a number of factors. Injury to the neck, due to trauma, is one of the causes behind this problem. Besides, certain physical activities like lifting of heavy objects can lead to knots in side of neck. Sometimes, dietary habits, underlying health disorders, psychological condition of a patient can also be responsible for this.

Treating Knots in the Neck

Some effective treatments for such muscle aches are as follows:

Application of Heat
This will have a soothing and relaxing effect on the taut muscles which in turn will help in loosening up of the knot. You can use electric heating pads, heated gel packs or heat producing disposable pads for this purpose. However, heat should not be applied on the knots if there is swelling in the area.

Massage Therapy
Deep tissue massage, of the neck muscles, by a good masseuse can ease off knots in the neck due to pressure being applied to the source of pain repeatedly. During the massage, patients may experience a lot of pain in the knot, but later on they will feel much better as the knot will calm down.

Medicines
When the muscle pain due to the knots in neck and shoulder muscles, becomes too much, then non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines and muscle relaxers are often prescribed by doctors for pain relief. Sometimes, injections are administered directly into the muscle knots. Muscle pain creams can be applied to the neck to relieve the pain temporarily. To yield maximum benefits, use it just before going for a massage. This will relax the muscles and help in massage.

Other Treatments
Electrical stimulation and ultra sound treatments has been proved to be highly beneficial in many cases. Some gentle muscle stretching, physical therapy exercises, when done under the supervision of a therapist can prevent the muscle from getting constricted further. Acupuncture is an alternative form of treatment that can be used to treat muscle knots of neck area.

When you have muscle knots, you have to take good nourishing food that is rich in calcium and magnesium for faster recovery. It is also important to drink plenty of water and keep yourself hydrated as dehydration can worsen the muscle spasm. Stay as active as possible, and do not stiffen up your neck. This will make removal of knots all the more difficult.