Massages and Knots in shoulders

lorabeann · 12-09-2007, 05:17 PM

I got a professional massage the other day (haven't had one in 3 years) and I have tons of knots in my back and shoulders. Not surprising. I am still sore, because I asked for a semi deep tissue massage and my masseuse really worked on me.

How do you all keep your back from getting so knotted up? I should probably do some more yoga but it is so hard to stretch the back and shoulders...

Any ideas to improve my knotted up back and shoulders?

yogastrong · 12-09-2007, 07:43 PM

even if you dont have time to yoga regularly Id suggest hitting up the class once in a while for ideas on stretches that would help.

LyNzBaBe · 12-09-2007, 08:22 PM

i would suggest keeping up with massages on a regular basis. possibly once every other week. i went for my first massage a couple of months ago and i was extremely tight. i think it's good for the muscles to keep up with it regularly.

traxter · 12-09-2007, 08:29 PM

Hey, what exactly is a knot that you're referring to? Are you just talking about tightness in your back? I think might have something similar, but I'm not sure if it's due to my slight scoliosis or what. Thanks.

MissM · 12-09-2007, 10:07 PM

Heat or ice. And make sure you're drinking plenty of water.

lorabeann · 12-09-2007, 10:16 PM

Good ideas. I love hot yoga- and everything feels so good when you leave! Maybe I can take a class over the break...

The knots I am referring to feel like little balls in your muscles. When you press on them they are quite painful if you press hard. I have general tightness in my back as well- and sometimes if I am too tight I even get a spasm or two.

I will keep going back as often as I can and hit up the hot yoga!

Thanks all!

lorabeann · 12-09-2007, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MissM

Heat or ice. And make sure you're drinking plenty of water.

Heating my back or putting a heating pad on my butt feels amazing. I stretch right after it and it is instant relief!

cabUK · 12-10-2007, 03:00 AM

Good body posture when sitting, walking etc should help as well. From what I remember from my girlfriend she said rrestricted blood flow to the muscles can cause knots which can happen from bad posture, slouching etc.

Also trying to keep stress down also helps.

But a massage a month if you can would be of a great benefit.

Slightly off the subject but when you go for a massage if you feel the massues is tense, stressed, upset etc ask for somone else. My girlfriend never worked when she was upset, highly stressed etc as the massuse can pass this stress onto you.

lorabeann · 12-10-2007, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cabUK

Good body posture when sitting, walking etc should help as well. From what I remember from my girlfriend she said rrestricted blood flow to the muscles can cause knots which can happen from bad posture, slouching etc.

Also trying to keep stress down also helps.

But a massage a month if you can would be of a great benefit.

Slightly off the subject but when you go for a massage if you feel the massues is tense, stressed, upset etc ask for somone else. My girlfriend never worked when she was upset, highly stressed etc as the massuse can pass this stress onto you.

Thanks! I make an effort to always have good body posture- gymnastics taught me that!

I guess that would be true about the masseuse- she was very calm and happy- I liked how she laughed a lot too.

I'll always make sure to get a happy masseuse!

traxter · 12-10-2007, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lorabeann

Good ideas. I love hot yoga- and everything feels so good when you leave! Maybe I can take a class over the break...

The knots I am referring to feel like little balls in your muscles. When you press on them they are quite painful if you press hard. I have general tightness in my back as well- and sometimes if I am too tight I even get a spasm or two.

I will keep going back as often as I can and hit up the hot yoga!

Thanks all!

Oh ok, thanks.

Quite a few Texans in this thread. Gig'em anyone?

riseboi · 12-10-2007, 11:51 AM

look into foam rolling and self-myofascial release. It's become an integral part of my training.

lorabeann · 12-11-2007, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by riseboi

look into foam rolling and self-myofascial release. It's become an integral part of my training.

Ahhh haaa! I have seen those little balls too! I am buying them!

Thanks!

Sunshineslynn · 12-11-2007, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by riseboi

look into foam rolling and self-myofascial release. It's become an integral part of my training.

Yep. best thing next to sliced bread...lol

OP I have Fibromyalgia and I understand alll to well on the knots in your back getting the foam roller, massages, heat then massage will help loosen it up.

KimberleyRN · 12-11-2007, 08:18 AM

Those knots are from tension and forward head posture. If you are on the computer, your screen should be high enough so you do not have to look down to see it properly. Mine is too low and I often get tension knots.

I have weekly massages with a therapist that does deep tissue. That is the ONLY thing that helps me stay on top of it. I am a very tall nurse and the patient room computers are set up for an 'average height of 5'6" and since I am 4.5 inches taller, I am constantly looking down.

I also use the gym ball (large swiss ball some folks call them). I relax back on it and allow my neck/head to be lower than my chest for a time.

I also do butterfly DB raises on there as well as crunches. I just make sure to stretch my neck/traps very well after all workouts or when I feel stress hitting me there.

Ibuprophen will help.

Oh, you MUST drink enough water after a massage to flush the toxins out.

dmoney2023 · 12-11-2007, 08:21 AM

I get really messed up when I'm all stressed out. If I make an effort to be more relaxed and a bit more mellow then knots tend to lessen. A mid-day power nap might help this as well.......If only we lived in Spain.