How can I massage a knot out of my husbands back shoulder?

Sarah D
#1. April 24th, 2010, at 10:24 AM.

My husband gets that same shoulder blade muscle knot that I think you are talking about. I do the same thing you do, rub it out, and he puts a thermacare heat patch on it. it makes it small but because of his job it always comes back. I don’t think there’s anything else you can do for it besides prescribed muscle relaxers.

carla l
#2. April 26th, 2010, at 11:44 AM.

Try laying him on something firmer than a bed, a table with a folded blanket on it.Take your elbow and place it over the knot, have him breathe in and out fully 3 times. As he breathes out the last time lean the elbow into the knot, it is going to hurt, when you feel him relax again lean in a little more. Or if he really can’t stand it that long, hold it about 30 sec. and lift off of the knot, have him breathe again and repeat. If at anytime you hear a ‘pop’ mission accomplished, go back to massaging with your hands. Otherwise this should greatly reduce the knot.

sibt21
#3. April 28th, 2010, at 2:11 AM.

Hi,
you might wish to try the followings:
1. find the location of the pain. upper back and chest mucles,deltoid and neck muscles.
2.apply firm pressure for 10 seconds and release for 3 times.
3. perform slow control stretch for that specific muscles.
4. apply moist heat.
if pain recurs, investigate and address perpectuating factors and seek medical assistance.

mika
#4. April 30th, 2010, at 5:13 PM.

Hi if it moves around he should seek advice from a doctor, men are more susceptible to get fat deposits around that area but i would definitely check it out to be on the safe side.

kathy_is_a_nurse
#5. April 30th, 2010, at 10:21 PM.

Try getting a tennis ball (or other ball about that size). With your husband laying on his stomach, you can press down with the ball with considerable pressure. Let him guide you to the spot that is the most tender. Once you are on it, just press hard and make very small circular movements pretty much staying right over that spot. This is basically a trigger point release technique. You can do it as often as you like, but apply the pressure at one minute intervals with another minute or two between each pressure application.

Dr. Banik
#6. May 2nd, 2010, at 6:28 AM.

Hi. He could have something very common in men – a little fat ball within a muscle. Its called lypoma and its harmless. Also, sometimes a rib can be displaced causing muscle tension and inflammation. If you go to a chiropractor, they will be able to rule out what it can be and help treat the cause of this “ball of tension”. Visit my website for more information: BanikChiropractic.com

killbasabill
#7. May 5th, 2010, at 5:24 PM.

Sounds like our old friend Rhomboid to me. If you’ll put your husband in the arrest position( hand behind back elevated as high as he can get it) and push the knot into the shoulder blade for 7 seconds with about 5 pounds of pressure. That has worked for millions and is still good for your muscles.