An Unexpected Reason For Your “Tight Muscles”

One of the most common sources of frustration for anyone who ever experiences pain or tightness in their bodies is understanding their experience.

As an example, take “tight muscles.” I use quotes here because sometimes what we think are “tight muscles” is really more about the fascia — but that’s for another time.

“Tight muscles” can be caused by overuse or underuse — when you work a muscle too hard or you don’t work it at all. That’s the way most people think about it.

And most people address a tight muscle via stretching or strengthening it.

But the biomechanics is not the only explanation.

The body is not just a compilation of muscles, ligaments, tendons, and bones.

At the heart of the body’s system is the nervous system.

Physiology and pain are not simply functions of biomechanics, alignment, and form. They also influenced by psychology and emotions.

Tight muscles can also be caused by anger, hyper-vigilance, fear, grief, or in response to current or past trauma.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, emotions like joy and happiness can open the body and give it relief.

The body is a complex system of systems. To understand what’s happening in a body, you must look at the whole system.