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”.
Ever felt a crunch when massaging a knot? That crunchy feeling can be scar tissue, metabolic waste buildup, or fascial adhesions in your muscle. Muscle knots can be present in both superficial muscles, like the trapezius, and deeper ones like the rhomboids, which reside under the trapezius.
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.
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. As long as there is no pain this is nothing to worry about.
Sighs and other noises are common during massage, continues Carey. “There's no need to be silent during a massage, though don't feel obligated to make noise!” Or choose some cool massage music. Most importantly, says Carey, “Speak up if the pressure if wrong!
Lack of blood supply to the muscle causes lactic acid to build up, over time this can solidify with calcium deposits and is often the reason we hear a crunching sound when trying to realise the knots.
In the neck, there are paired joints, known as facet joints, that run up and down each side. Each of these facet joints has a capsule around it that is filled with fluid and gas. When the joint capsule is stretched, gas is rapidly released in the form of bubbles. This release of gas makes a popping or cracking sound.
Neck crepitus is cracking, popping, and grinding sounds in your neck. They can be caused by tightness and stiffness, poor posture, or arthritis. Neck crepitus isn't generally a cause for concern. But chronic, repetitive, or painful cracking could point to a more serious problem.
Yes, massage therapists can really feel knots in the body. Through their training and experience, they have developed a keen sense of touch that allows them to detect areas of tension and tightness in the muscles.
Knots of tension in your muscles can sound a little bit crunchy when you rub them. This sound shouldn't be loud and it shouldn't hurt more than the typical release of tension that comes with massage or stretching.
“Just put pressure on the trigger point or knot for 5 to 10 seconds, and then release it. 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.
Can A Massage Therapists Feel Your Energy? The answer to this question is a resounding “yes”. This is because massage therapists can sense your energy field through their hands. They can pick up on subtle changes in your body such as tension, pain, and emotions.
Massage is an effective treatment to release muscle tightness. Massage uses a range of techniques to increase the blood flow, break down inflexible scar tissue and stretch and loosen muscles. Pain is decreased from allowing the muscle to move and restoring blood flow.
A “good” massage is one that loosens tight or tangled muscles and offers relief to painful and stiff areas in the body.
That's because massage can stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system, your “rest and digest” response. The parasympathetic system conserves energy as it slows the heart rate and increases intestinal and gland activity.
Although an emotional release can occur at any time, it's actually a very common occurrence during a massage! As your massage therapist works on your muscles and joints, they might release tension that your body has been holding onto for years.
Understanding Anxiety
Over time, anxiety can cause physical symptoms that include fatigue, increased muscle tension, irritability, and respiratory issues. These can be easily spotted by a massage therapist and can be used to determine the best treatment methods for your needs.
The massage therapist should not touch your breasts or groin area without you giving them explicit permission to do so. Most forms of massage therapy do not include these areas. The massage therapist should not touch areas that you have explicitly requested that they avoid.
Massage therapy helps treat knots by increasing circulation and improving blood flow, which loosens stiff muscles and relieves tension.
During a massage treatment, when we stretch this tight tissue you could feel a burning sensation. This is a myofascial release sensation and is generally short lived and quite normal, but not felt by everyone. The intensity and sensations felt, will vary between clients.
It is recommended to be getting massaged at least once every three weeks (or every two) to help aid in healthy tissue repair and reduce pain felt from the intensive workouts that the body is going through. Massage will also help with the accumulation of work-related stress.
You should go at least once per month, but as often as twice per week in severe pain situations. The longer you wait though, and the more often you'll start the process over of loosening up your muscles because they tense up if you don't go often enough.
Neck crepitus is thought to occur when structures in the spine rub together and make sounds. Ligament or tendon moving around bone. Ligaments and tendons both attach to bones. In some cases, it may be possible for a moving ligament or tendon to make a snapping sound as it moves around a bone and/or over each other.
Why does you neck crack at the Chiropractor? The cracking, clicking or popping noise is caused when the facet joints in the spine are opened up in the course of the manipulation. The process is just as it is when your knuckles or your knees click.
Neck is a very vulnerable area and is connected to the spinal cord which makes it all the more dangerous. Massage in itself is harmless, however if one uses too much pressure it may lead to soreness and malaise after the session. Wrong pressure on an injured part may aggravate it even more.