Can muscle knots be surgically removed?

Author: Prof. Kendrick Bruen  |  Last update: Friday, September 5, 2025

The procedure is elegant and simple. The trigger point is identified with manual examination and / or ultrasound and is tagged and internally marked. Through a small incision diseased fascia and sliver of muscle are gently removed and then muscle defect is repaired / reconstructed if necessary.

How do you get rid of muscle knots permanently?

Stretching - promotes elongation and tissue relaxation in knotted areas. Exercise - actively contracting and relaxing tight muscle fibers is great way to get them to ``reset''. Massage - promotes blood flow and relaxation. Trigger Point Therapy - helps muscle knot to ``release and reset''.

What can a doctor do for muscle knots?

They may suggest:
  • Physical therapy to build muscle strength and endurance.
  • Myofascial release therapy to apply gentle sustained pressure into the myofascial connective tissue restrictions to ease pain and restore motion.
  • Injecting a numbing medicine into the spot where the pain is.

How to get rid of a permanent knot?

Wiggle and Pull: Gently wiggle the knot while pulling on the ends. This can sometimes create enough slack to loosen it. Use Lubrication: Applying a lubricant like soap, oil, or water can help ease the fibers apart. Needle or Pin: Insert a needle or pin into the knot to help pry it apart.

What is the injection to release muscle knots?

Trigger point injections are shots of medicine into these knots to help relieve the pain. The medicines are usually local anesthetics like lidocaine. Trigger point injections are often part of plan that includes other treatments, such as muscle stretching and strengthening.

Minimally Invasive Trigger Point Treatment - Dr. Boris Volshteyn

Do muscle knots require surgery?

Once muscle knots have been diagnosed, one of the most effective treatments available is a procedure known as trigger point injection. This involves injecting a small amount of medication, usually a local anesthetic and sometimes a corticosteroid, directly into the muscle knot.

How much does a trigger point injection cost?

Many things can affect how much trigger point injections cost, such as how many trigger points need to be treated, what kind of medicine is used, where the clinic is located, and how experienced the healthcare provider is. Typically, a trigger point injection session will cost you between $100 and $200.

Who removes muscle knots?

Get a massage.

“Our bodies can develop tightness or restrictions in the connective tissue system, and that can affect the muscles in that area or away from that area.” A trained massage therapist can identify not only any obvious muscle knots, but also latent trigger points that may be causing pain.

Can a muscle knot last for years?

While knots and trigger points can be frustrating and achy, in some cases, without effective treatment the pain can become chronic, with symptoms lasting six months or longer.

What medication is good for muscle knots?

Medicines used for myofascial pain syndrome include: Pain relievers. Pain relievers you can get without a prescription, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve), may help. Some come in the form of creams or patches that you put on the skin.

Do massage therapists get rid of knots?

Massage therapy techniques can help to relieve, reduce or even prevent muscle knots. Deep tissue massage or sports massage techniques work on the muscles that are tight or have the knots. Trigger point massage can be firm and specific pressure to the areas of restriction or “knots” and cause release of that knot.

Can you dissolve a muscle knot?

Softly working the affected areas with your hands can be incredibly beneficial for reducing muscle knots. A specific kind of massage therapy called myofascial release therapy relies on constant, deep, gentle pressure to help release the tension and break up some of those constricted tissues in localized areas.

Which doctor to see for muscle knots?

Physiatrist. If your PCP can't figure out why you're in pain, they might send you to a physiatrist. These doctors specialize in physical medicine and rehabilitation. They can diagnose the problem and create a treatment plan, which could include medication, physical therapy, or other therapies.

Does cupping help with knots?

Cross fiber friction, trigger point release and myofacial release techniques are great for breaking down those knots. Another modality that is great for these "knots" is cupping. Cupping is a technique of creating a suction in a cup that is applied to the tissue.

How do you get rid of a knot that won't go away?

If you're looking to get rid of a sore muscle knot, here are a few things you can do:
  1. Get a massage. Ah, the soothing relief of a massage. ...
  2. Use a foam roller. ...
  3. Try a massage gun. ...
  4. Ask a physical therapist about dry needling. ...
  5. Stretch. ...
  6. Use ice or heat. ...
  7. Try acupuncture.

Can you have a permanent knot?

Do muscle knots go away on their own? Sometimes, they can; other times, they can persist as chronic pain if left untreated.

What is the hardest knot to get out?

The constrictor knot is one of the most effective binding knots. Simple and secure, it is a harsh knot that can be difficult or impossible to untie once tightened. It is made similarly to a clove hitch but with one end passed under the other, forming an overhand knot under a riding turn.

Can you have surgery on muscle knots?

The procedure is elegant and simple. The trigger point is identified with manual examination and / or ultrasound and is tagged and internally marked. Through a small incision diseased fascia and sliver of muscle are gently removed and then muscle defect is repaired / reconstructed if necessary.

Can a chiropractor get rid of muscle knots?

Muscle knots may cause dysfunction if left untreated. Chiropractic care eases the tightness and tenderness of the impacted tissues. Additionally, spinal manipulation realigns the spine, restoring your range of motion and relieving tension in the affected tissues and joints.

Do massage guns remove knots?

Using massage guns for muscle knots

A massage gun can't immediately remove muscle knots – that can take time. But with increased blood flow to the area, the muscles loosen to alleviate that knotting pain and speed up the process of recovery.

Does insurance pay for trigger point injections?

Are Trigger Point Injections Covered By Insurance? Yes & insurance companies pay for trigger point injections because they see the longterm benefit in healing.

What kind of doctor does trigger point injections?

The most common doctors that perform trigger point injections are pain management physicians, physiatrists, and some sports medicine physicians. Sometimes, rheumatologists or neurologists may also perform trigger point injections.

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