What Are Muscle Knots? (And Why Do They Keep Coming Back?)

What Are Muscle Knots?

If you’ve ever felt a tight, tender spot in your neck or shoulders, you’ve probably called it a “muscle knot.” But what are they really?

Muscle knots, also known as trigger points, are small areas of contracted muscle fibers that refuse to relax. They often feel like a firm bump or rope under the skin and can be painful when pressed.

These tight areas can also refer pain to other parts of the body. For example, a trigger point in your shoulder may contribute to tension headaches.

Why Do Muscle Knots Form?

Muscle knots typically develop from:

• Poor posture (especially desk work)

• Stress and tension

• Repetitive movements

• Overuse during exercise

• Sitting for long periods

When a muscle stays contracted too long, blood flow decreases. That lack of circulation leads to irritation, tightness, and discomfort.

Over time, these tight bands become what providers call myofascial trigger points.

What Is Trigger Point Therapy?

Trigger point therapy is a hands-on treatment designed to release tight, irritated muscle fibers and restore proper function.

This technique involves applying sustained pressure to specific trigger points to:

• Reduce muscle tension

• Improve circulation

• Decrease referred pain

• Restore normal movement

Trigger point therapy is commonly used in massage therapy and can also complement chiropractic care and acupuncture.

Why Do Knots Keep Coming Back?

If muscle knots constantly return in the same area, the issue may not be just muscular.

When a joint isn’t moving properly, nearby muscles compensate by tightening. Over time, those overworked muscles develop trigger points again and again.

That’s why combining trigger point therapy, chiropractic care, and acupuncture often produces longer-lasting results.

Trigger Point Therapy in Naperville

At DuPage Health and Physical Therapy Center in Naperville, we address both the tight muscle and the underlying cause:

• Massage therapy with trigger point therapy techniques

• Chiropractic adjustments to restore joint motion

• Acupuncture to calm the nervous system and reduce inflammation

If you’re dealing with recurring muscle knots, trigger point therapy may be the missing piece.

Ready to Get Relief?

Persistent muscle knots don’t have to be your normal.

📞 Call 331-401-5900 or

to schedule your visit in Naperville and experience targeted trigger point therapy and comprehensive care.