Is Your Tightness from Muscle or Nerve?
Tight muscles are common, but sometimes tightness isn’t caused by muscles at all. Nerve tightness can limit flexibility just as much, and stretching alone won’t fix it.
Your nerves run throughout your body, much like blood vessels. When they become restricted, they can’t move properly, making it harder for you to stretch or move freely. This can happen due to spinal issues, scar tissue, swelling, or past injuries.
How to Tell if Your Tightness is From Nerves
Muscle tightness typically improves with regular stretching, but nerve tightness often does not. Signs of nerve tightness include:
- Stretching for long periods without improvement in flexibility.
- Numbness, tingling, or sharp sensations when stretching.
If you’ve stretched your hamstrings for years and still struggle with flexibility, tight nerves may be the issue.
Fixing Muscle vs. Nerve Tightness
Muscle tightness is usually easy to address with regular stretching and strengthening exercises. If a muscle is tight, working on its flexibility and strengthening the opposing muscles can help.
Nerve tightness is more complex. The cause must be identified before it can be treated. If scar tissue from an old injury is restricting nerve movement, soft tissue mobilization may be needed. If spinal instability is causing nerve tension, core stabilization exercises may help. Inflammation or swelling affecting nerve function may require gentle nerve mobility exercises.
Get Help with Your Tightness
If tightness isn’t improving or you’re unsure whether it’s coming from your muscles or nerves, a physical therapist can help. Schedule an appointment with us today!
