If you’ve ever felt a tender, achy spot in your muscles, chances are you’ve encountered a muscle knot.

These stubborn knots, also known as myofascial trigger points, affect a whopping 85% of the population and they can really throw a wrench in your day.

Now whether you’re battling them in your back, shoulders or neck, the good news though is that with a little know-how and some proactive steps, you can get back to feeling your very best again.

What Can Cause a Muscle Knot?

From overuse to psychological stress, there’s a laundry list of factors that can contribute to their formation.

The more common include heavy lifting, poor posture, or just burning the candle at both ends.

Spotting the Signs

When it comes to muscle knots, pain is the first major sign.

They can feel swollen, tense, or bumpy, leaving you with that persistent ache that just won’t go away.

What’s worse is that since pain radiates, muscle knots can be the cause for aches in unexpected places.

At-Home Relief

While it’s always a good idea to seek professional help like that of a massage therapist, there are some DIY techniques you can try at home.

Grab a tennis ball or foam roller and get to working it into those sore muscles.

A good stretching protocol or even including a yoga session or two into your training regimen can do wonders.

With a little patience and persistence, you’ll work out those knots and get back to doing the things you love.

Prevention is Key

Even better than getting rid of one is learning to prevent a muscle knot in the first place!

As they say an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

By taking steps to improve your posture, incorporate regular exercise, staying properly hydrated and better managing your stress levels, you can lower your risk of developing those dreaded knots.

As you’ve just learned, muscle knots might be a pain in the neck (literally), but they don’t have to rule your life.

Armed with the right knowledge and a game plan, you can take back control of your muscle health.

Trust me when I say your body will thank you for it!