If you’re constantly trying to stretch or massage away your chronically tight muscles and your efforts are failing, it might be time to consider that the tight muscles aren’t the problem.
In fact, the system might be working exactly as intended.
The Tightness Is a Feature, Not a Flaw
Your nervous system operates under one single, unwavering mandate:
Survival.
They will always prioritize stability and safety over flexibility, relaxation, or perfect posture.
When the nervous system detects instability — whether it’s from a weak link, like inhibited glutes, or emotional stress, like feeling unsupported, it sends an immediate command to the muscles:
Hold on tight.
The muscle tightens to stabilize you, to keep you from falling, to protect you from a perceived threat.
Think of how you’d clench your body if you were actually falling, or if someone was about to punch you in the stomach. It’s unconscious and reactive.
This is how the system is designed to protect you.
The Source is Not the Cause
One of the fundamental principles of biomechanics and the nervous system is
The source of not the cause.
Whether you’re dealing with tight hip flexors, a stiff low back, tight shoulders, or a stiff neck, these areas are the source. They are the places screaming for attention.
But they are not the cause of the discomfort. They are the symptoms.
If we could ask them why they are tight, they would say,
We are holding things together because the system isn’t supported.
They perceive a body under threat.
The Cause Isn’t Always Biomechanical
The body is not just a biomechanical system, however. Muscles can tighten for other reasons as well.
Emotional and mental stress is also interpreted by the nervous system as a threat.
When we are under stress or strain — whether from current world events or personal challenges — the nervous system shifts into a defensive, “fight-or-flight” posture.
In this mode, it shortens and tenses the muscles in preparation for action.
This tension can reinforce whatever biomechanical issues are happening, making the tight muscles even tighter.
Why Trying to Stretch or Release Tight Muscles Doesn’t Work
Typically we try to address the tight muscle by stretching, heating, or massaging it.
This might feel good in the moment, which can be a worthwhile benefit.
But most people discover that their muscles tighten up again — sometimes even more than they were.
The reason the benefits of stretching and muscle release don’t last is because you haven’t addressed the cause of the tight muscles.
In fact, you may have made it worse by removing the protection before the system was stable.
Stretching a protective muscle can be perceived as tearing down the shield, increasing the danger signal, and making the muscle tighten more later.
How to Address Tight Muscles For Sustainable Release
Before you can try to release or relax the protective mechanism, you need to create safety within the nervous system by shoring up the foundation.
From a biomechanical perspective, this usually requires starting with the foundation of the feet and hips.
Strengthening the under active muscles must occur before you can release the tight protective muscles.
From an emotional/mental perspective this involves shoring up your support systems: finding coaches and mentors who can help you create a sense of safety so that your system can stop gripping.
Your nervous system will allow the tight muscles to relax only when it perceives safety, security, and stability.
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