Knots in muscles

I got this, too. It's especially bad in the morning when I'm trying to get out of bed. Really affects my breathing, too. I finally connected mine to too much stress and anxiety. If I make a concerted effort to reduce any stress, be real kind to myself (e.g., lots of warm/hot baths), whatever's calming to me, for about 4-6 weeks, it does go away.

Hope this helps!

I get wicked knots that they call Trigger Points. It's Myofascial Pain Syndrome and is common with Fibro.

Trigger points can be relieved by intense pressure (10-30 sec. for me). Or if I can't reach it (like the ones just below my shoulder blade), sometimes I'll go into the pain clinic where they can do Trigger Point injections. This can be done by dry-needling, or saline, or cortisone. Docs are different in what they choose. As soon as they hit a certain spot in that knot, (the muscle may jump), the knot goes away immediately. The muscle might still be sore for a few days.

When I can reach the knots myself, like in the tops of my shoulders or neck, I can press real hard, NOT moving around like massaging. I hold it for 11 secs. for me. The hardest part I've found is you have to relax into the initial pain the pressure causes. If the muscle stays tense, it interferes with the knot release. Sometimes it takes a few attempts over the course of a day.

Also, I sometimes use a portable TENS unit and set it to make the muscle alternately contract then relax for 15 mins. That usually takes repeated attempts over a few days to get relief, but each use makes it feel better.

This is what has worked for me, but my advice might be outdated. There are several good books on MPS out there, one by a physical therapist who has a special interest in treating trigger points.

Hope this helps!

I will be trying your technique. Thanks.

I use Hyland's Night Leg Cramps for immediate relief. I take quinine, in quantities allowed in the US, which my neurologist says are too low, and I drink low-sugar tonic water with quinine before going to bed. These remedies work to alleviate but not cure the problem.

I have some knots in my lower right side of my back that just won't go away. I've had cortisone, ablation, other shots that I can't remember what they were, and accupunture. Anyways, lately I've been going to a masseuse. She is strong. She spends the whole hour on my lower back. After several weeks it is starting to feel better. I also have bladder spasms so I think there is a relation to the knots developing from the bladder. But, massage really should be considered a medical "procedure" and covered by insurance. They work miracles!