A muscle knot (also known as a trigger point) is a hard, sensitive area of muscle that tightens and contracts even when the muscle is at rest. These tense muscle fibers can cause pain, even in other parts of the body, when touched. They can cause symptoms such as headaches, toothaches, and earaches.
Knots are caused by overusing or injury of a muscle, poor posture, dehydration, stress, anxiety, unhealthy eating habits, and much more. They can occur anywhere in the body, but are most commonly found in the back, neck, and shoulders.
Treatment of a muscle knot can take time, especially if it's a particularly big one and has been without treatment for a while. You will need to break up the knotted tissue and calm inflamed nerves. Heat and cold therapy can help immensely in this process, you will also benefit from stretching and rest.
