The “Spot” That Just Won’t Quit
We all know the feeling. You’re sitting at your desk—maybe finishing a report or scrolling through emails—when you subconsciously reach up to your neck. Your fingers find that one hard, tender lump in your upper trap. You press on it, it hurts (in a “good” way), and for a moment, the tension melts. But an hour later? It’s back.
In Victoria, we see this constantly. Whether it’s “tech neck” from the booming local tech sector or tight calves after a weekend hike up Mt. Doug, patients often come in asking: “Can you just get this knot out?”
But here is the secret: It’s not actually a knot. Your muscle fibers haven’t tied themselves into a boy scout hitch. The reality is far more interesting—and understanding it is the key to finally getting relief.
The Science: It’s Not a Knot, It’s a Crisis
If we looked at that tender spot under a microscope, we wouldn’t see tangled spaghetti. We would see a micro-cramp occurring in a tiny section of the muscle fiber. In clinical terms, we call this a Myofascial Trigger Point.
To understand why it happens, imagine your muscle is a factory.
Normal Function: Workers (calcium) enter the factory floor to trigger a contraction, then leave so the muscle can relax.
The “Knot”: Due to overuse or stress, the factory doors get stuck. The workers (calcium) flood in and refuse to leave. The machinery (muscle fibers) stays locked in the “ON” position, constantly contracting.
The “Energy Crisis”
This constant contraction burns through fuel (ATP) at a rapid rate. Simultaneously, the tight muscle squeezes the nearby blood vessels shut, cutting off the delivery of fresh fuel and oxygen.
This creates what researchers call a local “Energy Crisis.” The muscle is starving for fuel but stuck in high gear. The result? A build-up of acidic waste products that sensitizes the nerves, creating that dull, aching throb you feel at the end of the day.
Note: This isn’t “damage” or “scar tissue.” It is a functional lockdown—a protective mechanism gone rogue.
Book an Assessment to get rid of that knot.
Why Do They Form?
You might think, “I didn’t lift anything heavy. Why do I have knots?”
Research points to something called the Cinderella Hypothesis. Just like Cinderella was the first to wake up and the last to leave, certain small muscle fibers (low-threshold motor units) are the first to activate when you sit at a computer and the last to relax.
If you sit with your shoulders shrugged for 8 hours, these “Cinderella fibers” never get a break. They are worked to exhaustion, leading to that calcium lock-up we described above.
Common triggers we see in Victoria include:
Postural Holding: Hovering over a keyboard or steering wheel.
Guarding: Your body tensing up to protect an old injury (like a stiff lower back).
Stress: Mental stress often manifests physically as elevated muscle tone in the neck and jaw.
The Fix: How RMT “Melts” the Knot
When a Registered Massage Therapist (RMT) finds that spot and applies deep, sustained pressure, they aren’t physically “breaking up” tissue. They are interacting with your nervous system.
Here is what is likely happening during your treatment:
1. The Flush (Ischemic Compression)
When your RMT applies pressure (Ischemic Compression), they temporarily blanch the tissue. When they release, fresh, oxygenated blood rushes back into the area. A 2025 study in Frontiers in Oral Health found that this technique was highly effective for immediate pain reduction, likely by flushing out the acidic waste products that were irritating the nerve.
2. The Reset
Steady, safe pressure sends a signal to the brain: “It’s safe to let go.” It encourages the neuromuscular system to drop the protective tone. It’s like hitting the “Reset” button on a frozen computer.
3. Motion is Lotion
Once the “lock” is released, we need to move. Passive stretching and active movement help restore normal sliding between the muscle layers.
Beyond the Table: Stopping the Cycle
Getting the knot “rubbed out” feels great, but if you go right back to the same habits, the factory will lock up again.
At Pursuit, our RMTs don’t just treat the symptom; we look for the cause.
- Is it your desk setup? We might suggest micro-breaks.
- Is it weakness? Sometimes a muscle is tight because it’s weak and trying to hang on for dear life. You might need strength building alongside massage.
- Is it stress? We know that massage therapy can boost mental well-being, helping to lower the overall “threat level” in your nervous system.
If you are dealing with persistent “knots” that keep coming back, it’s time to stop chasing the symptom and treat the system.
Ready to Reset Your System?
You don’t have to live with that constant ache in your shoulders. Whether you need a “system reset” from high-stress work or recovery from your latest run, our team is here to help you move with ease. Book Your RMT Appointment.
Key References
- Müggenborg, F., et al. (2025). Effectiveness of manual trigger point therapy in patients with myofascial trigger points in the orofacial region—A systematic review. Frontiers in Oral Health.
- Prevalence of Myofascial Trigger Points in Patients with Low Back Pain. (2025). Journal of Clinical Medicine (MDPI).
- Shah, J. P., et al. (2024 Update). Myofascial Trigger Points Then and Now: A Historical and Scientific Perspective. StatPearls / NCBI.
- Simons, D. G., & Travell, J. G. (1999). Travell & Simons’ Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction: The Trigger Point Manual. (Foundational Clinical Brain).