Many people with chronic back pain experience intense muscle tightness and spasms, which actually start as the body's natural way of dealing with pain. When we hurt our backs, our muscles often tighten up automatically to "splint" or brace the area. This is the body's way of protecting itself, but it can also have a downside. By stiffening, we limit our ability to move freely, making movement more difficult and painful. Unfortunately, this response can create a harmful loop: the tightness causes more pain, which then leads to even more muscle contraction, making things worse over time.
Muscle spasms can be tricky to deal with because they can feel like they’re there to help, but they can become a long-term issue. In some people with back pain, even exercises meant to strengthen and help relax the body can make the back muscles tense up even more. This tension interferes with movement and keeps the person locked in a pattern of discomfort and limited mobility, making it harder to sense and respond to their surroundings.
This is where Feldenkrais sessions can make a huge difference. Feldenkrais sessions are designed to help you move in ways that let go of this "splinting" response. By exploring small, slow movements, you’ll start to notice how you brace or tense up without realizing it so that your body can let it go.
Feldenkrais teaches you how to gradually release this tension, allowing you to regain comfortable movement, feel safer in your body, and avoid re-injury. Over time, this gentle approach helps break the cycle of pain and stiffness, restoring ease in both movement and posture.
If you are intrigued by the idea, check out my Feldenkrais "Eliminate Back Pain Now" sessions.
Peace!