knotted muscle with rock

[Lois20]

"In order to break up knotted muscle tissue take a stone and turn it on end, place the end on the muscle knot (make sure you are not on bone) Tap the stone with another heavier stone. The sound generated will break up the knot (like sonic waves and gall stones) It works like magic."

I was reading some older threads and found this technique. Has anyone used this with success? If so, how hard to do you tap the stone?

I'm still a student, but I have found with most of the people I have massaged that they have what what my class calls muscle spasms or guitar strings in their upper back, near their scapula. My partner especially has these, and I have massaged her for 2 semesters now with no success in releasing them. I have tried heat packs, friction, petrissage, arm pulls. They are always still there. I'm wondering if this technique might help.

 

[abbylane]

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[Brianna R]

I have done this with some people.
I don't really think it is a physical release though.
Many people seem to "connect" with the stones and although I believe it is vibrational, it seems to be more of an "energetic" effect if that makes sense.
If you do lots of hot stone work try the tapping...it feels really interesting. It seems as if I can feel the vibration all the way to my bones!

 

[Pompal 09.]

Tension in the Rhomboids manifests as ropey knots between the spine & shoulderblade. That sounds like what you're feeling, and that tension is very common. It's caused my poor posture (rounded forward), which most people have to some extent. One of the best things you can do to help is to actually release the aneforum.xxxonist muscles on the front of the body -- the pectoral muscles. Then, follow up with suggestions for home care: stretching the pecs & strengthening the rhomboids.

 

[JasonsWifey]

Ocean, you are writing of the piezoelectric effect (tapping the basalt stones together). This tapping generates an electrical charge which, along with the sound waves, help to break up tight tissues and soothe the nerves. It is used mainly in LaStone Therapy.

As far as the tension between the shoulder blades, use your palpation skills to determine which muscles are the tight ones. Generally, when speaking of "guitar strings" and shoulder blade discomfort you will find the lateral spinae group are the culprit. (And sometimes along with the lower traps). You can determine exactly which muscles by strumming against them to find which direction the fibers are going. If it is the lateral spinae, it can be helpful to actually start with a myofascial release to the abdomen (you mentioned arm pulls, so I'm guessing you know the ab release.) Depending on the time, thoracic release--pec work--ant deltoid--bicep are really good as well.

After release/s, have the client prone and first work the lat's--teres--serratus. Once those have been loosened a little, then go into the spinae both medial and lateral. Sometimes it is easier to stay onto the tendons of the iliocostalis thoracis by going posterior to superior, otherwise you can confuse them with other muscles as they run deeper to the lower traps and rhomboids. Work the area accordingly.

Usually after working in this method the client will review great relief and a feeling of more energy after getting up from the table.

 

[Angel]

knotted muscle with rock

Hey ocean, for those tight tendons along the scapula, i like to bend the clients arm so that their hand is resting on their back and the scapula is pushed up. Feel around the scapula for the knots, if present do a cross-fiber friction, transverse across the tendon, its slightly invasice but works. And if that doesnt work, i go on both sides of the knot push in with both thumbs on each side for about 30 secs or so the knead the knot out. Those are just a few techniques. Good luck with the knots!