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San Francisco, CA
In this day in age of over work, over stressed, poor posture humans it is an anomaly to find someone that doesn’t have muscle knots rather than finding someone that does. Luckily there are effective ways to treating them and most of these tried and true ways can be achieved at a SF Custom Chiropractic location.
If you do have a painful muscle knot or any kind of stiffness, here are a few ways in which it can be treated.
1. Massage
Massage is not only an occasional luxury that you need to save for your vacations or spa but is also a therapy in itself. Massage therapy can help a lot in treating muscle knots. A good masseuse will know how to deal with areas of tension and muscle knots by applying the right amount of direct pressure on the grain of the muscle till the knot is located. Once the muscle is isolated, it is massaged outwards from the knot till it is broken down.
2. Active release technique
Treating muscle knots using the gold standard active release technique is another reliable way that chiropractors around the world help patients feel better. ART treatment is like a deep tissue massage with motion which works by breaking up adhesions in the soft tissues of the affected area. This technique is very popular amongst athletes for performance and sports injuries. Each ART session is specially customized depending on the severity and location of the muscle knot.
3. Heat
Heat increases the flow of blood in the affected area. It may also reduce the pain and muscle tension by helping you relax. Taking a hot shower for a few minutes, or using a hot pack to treat the muscle knot can help you in fetching quick relief. Place a towel between your skin and the hot pack in order to prevent your skin from burning. Heat therapy can be used three to five times a day till the knot disappears. It can definitely give you temporary relief in acute cases.
4. Stretching
Gentle stretches can help in reducing muscle tension and pain from pulled muscles or knots. Stretching keeps the muscles pliable. Including stretching in your daily routine can prevent muscle knots. Yoga or tai chi combines exercise with stretching. To treat muscle knots, one could practice this for an hour every day.
5. Heat and ice
Contrast therapy can also help you in fetching relief from muscle knots. A heating pad or cold compress can ease some of the pain that comes with muscle knots. It is important to use a cooling spray in coordination with stretching. Start with cold for 10 minutes then use heat for 10 minutes and finish with cold for 10 minutes. Never put ice or hot packs directly on the skin.
If you you like to try any of these treatments for your muscle knots, feel free to give us a call at 415-788-8700 or book an appointment here.
