Where does 'lamig' come from and can I avoid it?

Welcome to Doctor's Corner, where medical experts from Makati Medical Center will answer health questions from readers! Got a question? Send them over to comment@gmanews.tv.

Q: Every time I go for a massage, the therapist always manages to find hard knots in my back. Are those lamig? 

You’re likely referring to muscle knots—tight, hard muscle fibers that are usually found on your back, shoulders, and neck.

Also called myofascial trigger points, these sensitive areas are painful to the touch and remain tense and contracted even when the body is at rest.

“Lamig” or “lamig sa katawan” meanwhile is the Tagalog term for muscle spasm. It may also be known as trigger point or myofasciitis. This may be seen as a muscle that is painful, hard to the touch, or stiff. 

Medically, this may be caused by poor posture, excessive repetitive motion, stress, high-intensity exercises and not enough stretching.

Where do they come from? How can we avoid them?

Like muscle spasms, muscle knots are also caused by overused or injured muscles, stress, and poor posture.

To avoid muscle knots, observe proper posture. Take breaks from sitting in front of your computer by standing up, stretching, and walking. And learn to manage your stress.

Regular massages from a professional and experienced therapist can help relieve you from the pain and stiffness of muscle knots.

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Ma. Elena Lourdes R. Tan, MD, FPARM, is the Chairperson and an Active Consultant in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation of the Makati Medical Center and a Full Time Faculty in the Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, College of Medicine, De La Salle Health Sciences Institute.