what makes the "knots' that you get in your muscles? is it fibers or fluids? how does massage work it out?
151692
"Knots", otherwise known as trigger points, are caused initially by a strain on a muscle resulting in a series of chemical reactions that results in ischemia (lack of oxygen to a tissue) which ends up causing an involuntary contraction of the muscle that is sustained for a prolonged period of time. (So in other words, it's muscle fibers)\n\nMassage, or trigger point release is done by adding direct pressure to the trigger point, causing a temporary ischemia which changes the chemical reactions at that point, followed by a flush of blood to the area when the compression is released which flushes out a lot of the cheicals that are causing the trigger point.
1068945
well best part to massage are\n- soles of the feet, during prone position\n- shoulders when sitting\n- back when prone\n- head when suspensded by your other hand and your body.\n- butt when in prone
940908
hey jpreffer..i donno where u got this idea about massage therapy for aids patients..well..massage cant drag out hiv viruses from body...it can help a aids patients just as it does for  any normal person if he or she requires massage for any reason lik for example bodyache...but cant be curative or cant help to reduce disease severity..or cant decrease infection proneness or cant increase immunity as such in my view....so..its just a misconcept .....or if u get something hopeful abt this tell me too.....bye...
1054906
This is also called a charlie horse can't tell you why. The best thing is to work it out slowly by massage or warm compresses to relax the muscle. Sometimes Motrin or Aleve may help the pain. These are typically caused by an excess of certain chemicals or minerals in your body. The most common is an excess of calcium but a depletion of potassium may also cause these. If they are frequent you need to see your physician. If you only get them once in a blue moon (ie very infrequently) then it may be that you pulled or stretched the muscle too far when exercising or doing daily activity.  If you have one that will not go away you need to call your doctor.
489546
Protiens are the building blocks of your muscles. When you work out, your actually making little tiny tears in your mucles and that's what makes them ache when you're done and also why they seem a little bigger and harder immediatly after you've finished. Protiens are used by your body to "heal" the little tears by filling them in with more muscle tissue and that is how you build larger mucles.\n\nWhen you're finished a hard work out, drinking a protien shake will give your body plenty of what it needs to heal your muscles faster, and you wont experience sore, achey mucsles the next day.
814276
right relax dont tense your muscles sencond i no it sounds gross but try to feel if there is any string still attached if yes tug if not dont go round prodding and probing it may move further up. if this is the case ring your doctor or if u r in the uk the nhs helpline and just explane your situation they will either send a doc to u or a way for you to got there dont worry you will be fine
1134250
well I'm a massage therapist so i would say you pulled a muscle. but i could be wrong. I would have to look. I hope your shoulder gets better.
1062790
Muscle contraction.  Much like when you stretch, then pull all your muscles together.
553389
No, it's definitely not a myth. Your muscles get cramped they swell and tighten, this causes a painful lump under the skin. This is what people call knots. They can be relieved with some serious massage and maybe muscle rub with it. I hope this helps. :^)
1184911
when we move our muscles,the energy comes directly from the glucose stores in the muscle itself by what is called aerobic respiration,which is the burning of glucose in the presence of oxygen,but after sometime of use the muscle needs more energy and the available oxygen wont be enough to make the aerobic respiration,so it shifts towards the anaerobic to produce energy and this type produces lactic acid,which accumulates in the muscle and causes it to spasm.\nusually muscle spasm resolves within 2 or 3 days,and using hot packs or massage with mild exercise will help.
616727
Traditionally, it's performed on a padded floor mat instead of on a table; the client stays fully dressed and no oil is used. The practitioner adjusts to your level of flexibility and fitness. It works wonders to improve flexibility, release toxins and unravel your gnarliest knots. When it's over, you'll feel really, really good – in a revved-up, high-on-life kind of way.
132941
I get knots on my left side.  It feels as if its under my shoulder blade.  I don't know if it is the same thing, but my massouse decided that I was sleeping wrong.  I slept with one arm under my pillow and it obviously kept my muscles tight up there.  I also lift my toddler everyday which doesn't help,  To help myself, I've just tried to relax my upper back and neck everytime I feel myself holding my shoulders up.  It's working so far.
189578
I could copy the answer, but I have some good links instead. \nSkeletal muscle fibers are multinucleated and fusiform, and basically contain myofibrills. See details at the link:\nhttp://training.seer.cancer.gov/module_anatomy/unit4_2_muscle_structure.html\n\nPay special attention to the myofibrils, the mitochondria and the sarcoplasmic reticulum :-)\n\nIllustrations of structure at different levels (I wish these pictures had been around years ago when I studied this!):\nhttp://www.agen.ufl.edu/~chyn/age2062/lect/lect_19/179.gif\nhttp://www.mhhe.com/biosci/esp/2001_gbio/folder_structure/an/m5/s5/assets/images/anm5s5_1.jpg
1050720
Our muscles, liek any oteh rtissue constantly need oxygen. while teh heart pumps teh blood to teh muscle tissues via arteries, teh motion of teh muscle temsleves when they flex helps propel the blood through teh veins back to teh heart. When we sit for long hoursm our back muscles barely move, therefore they do get poor circulation, which starves them of oxygen, resulting in acumulation of toxic lactic acid which causes cramping and knotting of back muscles. Stress doesnt hlep , because it causes a diminished blood flow to muscles and increased flow to internal organs as teh body tries to protect itself from iminant danger.\nA massage forces fresh oxygen rich blood into teh muscle, allowing teh muscle to relax. This sends a feel good signal to teh brain. Also skin to skin contact releases a hormone called oxytocin that promotes a relaxed and eup[horic state
716756
Have you ever tried massage therapy? I know you might feel exhausted all the time, and at times you might not feel like doing a thing, but some light exercise might help keep you going, something that wont make you feel worse. Massage therapy is recommended to relax the patient, decrease muscle tone (spasm), prevent joint stiffness, help you with range of motion. Is good just to go for 1/2 hr treatment at least twice a week, you don't want to get more tired that you need to.\nYou might want to find maybe a school of massage therapy around you and up in the clinic of the school the prices are very inexpensive, compare to the spa outside.\nHope it works and hope you feel better\nGood health :)
1183856
Here's one:\nhttp://www.learn-massage-online.com/ (not free).\n\nHere's another. This one's free:\nhttp://www.billspringwrites.com/massage.html\n\nAnd another, with lots of specifics:\nhttp://www.healthtouch.com/bin/EContent_HT/cnoteShowLfts.asp?fname=02536&title=HOW+TO+GIVE+A+BACK+MASSAGE+&cid=HTHLTH\n\nJust do a Yahoo! search on "How to massage".
1027269
perfectly normal especially during a massage which is relaxing all your muscles and stimulationg blood flow to all parts of your body.. although i'm sure you are aroused as well ;)