Chronic painful muscle knots, widespread

I have had knots in my shoulders, back and calves for over 20 years. I saw a massage therapist that did deep tissue massages and he was a ex nurse. He could never get rid of my knots. The neurologist did an EMG on me and diagnosed me with severe dystonia. The neurologist Botox’s the muscles and they some what relax but they don’t go away. I just live with it. Some times they contract so much the neurologist does cortisone injections and my neck will pop into place.
Bottom line there is nothing that works.
Ask the doctor about Botox. Medications for muscle spasms do nothing.

@1k194 I see this is an older post I hope you have received some help. My wife is the same way I can’t touch her back or arms and she gets frustrated when doctors tell her she should get a massage but she can’t be touched!

I am that way it’s excurating pain when I am touched. When people walk up and hug me I grin and bear it. A deep tissue massage hurts like double hockey sticks. It brings tears to my eyes. I will tell you this a good massage therapist will keep going when your crying. It helps the pain and makes you feel better. It last for about a week. It feels like the muscles and nerves are too exhausted to contract. When the massage wears off the the pain comes back.
I tried dry needling it was extremely painful. I had bacterial spinal meningitis. It permanently damaged a bunch of my nerves.

I am that way it’s excurating pain when I am touched. When people walk up and hug me I grin and bear it. A deep tissue massage hurts like double hockey sticks. It brings tears to my eyes. I will tell you this a good massage therapist will keep going when your crying. It helps the pain and makes you feel better. It last for about a week. It feels like the muscles and nerves are too exhausted to contract. When the massage wears off the the pain comes back.
I tried dry needling it was extremely painful. I had bacterial spinal meningitis. It permanently damaged a bunch of my nerves.

My constant "knots" are in my neck, shoulders, tops of arms, hips and back due to my chronic high level of anxiety - despite medications for my mental health issues. But that is not the only culprit. Of course I could list multiple suggestions/activities to reduce stress/anxiety but you already know them. Already mentioned is meditation (to detach) and daily exercise (walking?) not only for the body - but for the mind...increases those feel good endorphins.
Your particular "knot" condition sounds particularly alarming. In my humble opinion, mental health issues and obviously physical health issues all must be ruled out (one by one) to, hopefully, find a cause.
Having said that, I know for a fact, chronic high levels of cortisol/adrenaline in the body due to an unmanaged serious anxiety disorder can and does affect the "body" in more ways that I can tell you. Constant stress/anxiety is a killer and the root cause of so many physical diseases. The mind-body connection undeniable. Are you in therapy/see a psychiatrist? (I believe you most certainly should be). Do you have multiple layers of trauma in your life? Physically, possible other causes...are you on cholesterol-lowing medications? (could affect the body severely). Do you have an autoimmune disorder? Have you ever tried trigger point injections? (the effects are only short term). Have you seen a pain management specialist? Rheumatologist? (I would start here first in addition to mental health support). Think back to when this particular "knot" condition started years ago...can you identify a trigger? Even if "seemingly" small? Or was there a major change in your life? Happy or sad? Doesn't really matter IF it somehow affected your "mind"...what does your PCP say about your presentation? Helpful or not? You might want to do some real investigating...such as researching "rare" diseases. Maybe you are there? I would also consider, if you continue to be at a dead end with your ongoing pain condition, to call one of the 2 top medical clinics in the country.
The Mayo Clinic or The Cleveland Clinic. They both have pain management specialists/departments & located in different areas of the country.
Yes, it might be a huge inconvenience to travel there, expensive, referrals may be needed, etc. but at this point in your life it sounds like to me you have NO quality of life.
Do you wish to continue to live the rest of your life as it is now?
Only you can answer that. To me it's a no brainer.
I wish you all the very best in finding answers to your never-ending life of pain. Don't give up faith and hope.

@artemis1886

Have you been checked for fibromyalgia?

It sounds like it could be fibromyalgia because it causes pain, and nothing like massage helps. I have had fibromyalgia for many years.