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Why do muscles pop during massage?

Author

William Rodriguez

Published Jan 15, 2026

This popping or crunching feeling is breaking down what has built up, the body is then more able to flush out these toxins. Some clients may wince at this feeling others describe it as a 'good pain' and it instantly feels better once this has been done.

Why do my muscles click when massaged?

It is fairly common for people to have more clicking and popping after a massage. This isn't a sign anything is wrong! Before the massage there was stiffness so the joint was hardly moved. After the massage the joint moved much more freely so the muscles and tendons are more likely to rub hence a clicking sound.

What is the popping feeling when massaging?

Muscle adhesions feel like a snap, crackle, pop when your therapist works on them. But it is the fascia or lining around your muscles that balls up from repeative movements. The heat from friction and pressure your massage therapist applies allows the fascia to contract back into place.

What is the crunching sound during a massage?

What is that “crunching” noise I hear when the massage therapist rubs my shoulders? Fascia is a connective tissue that runs throughout the body and surrounds all of the muscles and organs. If this fascia is hard, a “crunching” noise may be heard until it is softened and is able to be “worked” or “kneaded”.

What does it feel like when a muscle knot releases?

They often show up in your gluteal muscles, too. Muscles knots can cause aching sensations and pain in your muscles and joints. When you touch a muscle knot, it may feel swollen, tense, or bumpy. It could also feel tight and contracted, even when you're trying to relax, and they're often sensitive to the touch.

45 related questions found

How do you break up a muscle knot?

How to Treat Muscle Knots

  1. Ice and heat. Most muscle pain responds well to alternating ice and heat. ...
  2. Trigger point massage. Sometimes, firm pressure encourages your muscle to release. ...
  3. Professional massage. A massage with a professional massage therapist might be helpful.

What does it feel like when a trigger point is released?

There are a muscle stiffness and a palpable hardening of a taut band of muscle fibers passing through the tender spot in a shortened muscle (like a string of a guitar), A local twitch response of the taut muscle and jump sign occur when the trigger point is stimulated.

Why are muscle knots crunchy?

Essentially, muscle knots have reduced blood flow and circulation, which means toxins can become trapped in these areas. Over time, trapped toxins will solidify in the muscle knot if not dealt with, resulting in hard, crunchy bumps.

Why does pressure release muscle knots?

Apply pressure to trigger points.

When a muscle is tight like that, it can limit blood flow in that area. The theory is when you put pressure on it you're limiting blood flow to the knot, and when you release the pressure, more blood flows in,” he explains. The increased blood flow can help the muscle relax.

Why does massaging knots feel good?

Knotted muscles form when there is a buildup in protein and lactic acid that can cause pain from lack of blood flow. Massaging knotted muscles helps to release that buildup and increase blood flow, providing oxygen to parts of the muscle that weren't getting enough before.

Do muscle knots pop when massaged?

This popping or crunching feeling is breaking down what has built up, the body is then more able to flush out these toxins. Some clients may wince at this feeling others describe it as a 'good pain' and it instantly feels better once this has been done.

How do massage therapists find knots?

Massage therapists are trained to feel where knots occur by looking for tension in the back, neck and shoulders. They find this tension and release it by applying deep compression with their thumb, fingers or elbow, and holding for 20-30 seconds.

How often can you massage trigger points?

Use your fingers (or tools like foam rollers and massage balls) to press firmly into the trigger points. Repeat for three to five minutes, ideally as often as five or six times per day. “It needs to be part of the daily routine,” Dr. Adams says.

How long does it take for a trigger point to release?

With trigger points of recent onset, significant relief of symptoms often comes in just minutes, and most acute problems can be eliminated within 2 to 10 days. Chronic conditions are more complex and often less responsive to treatment. None the less, even some of these problems can be cleared in as little as 6 weeks.

Can you see muscle knots?

For a long time muscle knots could only be detected by feel, and even now it is difficult to confirm their existence with imaging, even when using advanced modalities like MRI or ultrasound. “When you look under ultrasound, you can sometimes see slight changes in the tissue in the area where the knot is,” explains Dr.

What is a muscle knot?

What are muscle knots? Knots are comprised of tense muscle fibers. "Muscle knots are actually hyperirritable spots in muscle or fascial tissue [bands or sheets of connective tissue] known as myofascial trigger points," says Charleston. Trigger points typically fall into one of two categories: Active.

How do I check my trigger points?

Areas in the body where trigger points are more commonly found may include:

  1. Your upper trapezius muscles on either side of your neck just above your shoulders.
  2. Your quadratus lumborum muscles of your low back.
  3. Your hamstrings.
  4. Your calf muscles.
  5. Along your iliotibial band.

Is a trigger point a knot?

Trigger points are places of rigidness in body tissues known more popularly as “knots” or “nodules”. While they are primarily found in muscles (“myo-fascial” trigger points), these knots can also be found in tendons, fascia, periosteum (bone cover), and ligaments.

What happens when a trigger point is released?

Trigger point release is a general term that describes procedures that relax tension and relieve pain in muscles that contain trigger points. It usually refers to manual techniques involving pressure and stretching muscles, but can also refer to other techniques such as the use of needles.

Why do I get knots between my shoulder blades?

The most common source of muscle knots is the trapezius muscle. This muscle makes a triangle-like shape from the neck to the middle of the back and the shoulder. Tension and knots in the trapezius muscles often occur due to stress and poor posture.

Can deep tissue massage cause damage?

Although massage has a low risk of harm, deep tissue massage may not be suitable for everyone. People may want to first check with their doctor if they have any of the following: a blood clotting disorder. increased risk of injury, such as bone fractures.

Do muscle knots go away?

Knots are persistent and most will remain until the knotted area is broken up and the muscles contract. Limited range of motion, pain and tightness will persist until the muscles are loosened and circulation returns to the constricted area.

Why won't my knot go away?

Typically, the most common culprits are dehydration, inactivity, injury, stress or repetitive movements (for example: hunching over a keyboard all day, hitting a few rounds of golf, or playing tennis).

What should you not do after a massage?

What Not to Do After a Massage Therapy?

  • Not Drinking Enough Water. After massage therapy, decreasing your water intake after the massage therapy is not ideal. ...
  • Take A Shower Immediately. ...
  • Taking Hot Shower. ...
  • Eating A Large Meal. ...
  • Drinking Coffee. ...
  • Drinking Alcohol. ...
  • Doing Strenuous Exercise or Activities. ...
  • Stressing Yourself Out.

Can massage therapists feel your energy?

Massage therapists can really benefit from using energywork in addition to their massage techniques. Clients release energy, often continuously, throughout the massage. People store their emotions, memories, beliefs and thoughts in their energy system, and massage allows them to come up to be released.