You mean you don’t have a personal understanding of “knotted” muscles? That seems hard to believe, as everyone has them.
I’ve never seen a scientific description, but I have always assumed that the muscles were “stuck” in some kind of contracted state. It is so obvious, my guess would be that there would be a physical state that could be ascertained by biopsy or autopsy. Apparently, this is not a popular topic for research.
Physical manipulation can have an effect on muscle contraction state, as can heat, other forms of touch, relaxation techniques.
The release of these contractions is experienced as a very good feeling by most people.
FWIW, I have had forms of bodywork done on me that focused more intense, deep pressure into the muscles. I notice much more of a longer lasting effect than from simple massage. The effect wears off within a day or so.
I do think there is a health benefit to such manipulation. In my case, releasing such tension helps me hold body positions that minimize the impact of repetition strain injury that I have developed from poor ergonomic habits working at a computer.
I’ve never seen a scientific description, but I have always assumed that the muscles were “stuck” in some kind of contracted state. It is so obvious, my guess would be that there would be a physical state that could be ascertained by biopsy or autopsy. Apparently, this is not a popular topic for research. Physical manipulation can have an effect on muscle contraction state, as can heat, other forms of touch, relaxation techniques.
The release of these contractions is experienced as a very good feeling by most people.
FWIW, I have had forms of bodywork done on me that focused more intense, deep pressure into the muscles. I notice much more of a longer lasting effect than from simple massage. The effect wears off within a day or so.
I do think there is a health benefit to such manipulation. In my case, releasing such tension helps me hold body positions that minimize the impact of repetition strain injury that I have developed from poor ergonomic habits working at a computer.