Physical Tension
Chronic or persistent muscular tension as a background state, often driven by stress, postural habits, or nervous system hyperarousal. Contributes to pain, fatigue, and restricted movement.
Quick answer
Chronic physical tension is often a nervous system state as much as a musculoskeletal one, driven by stress, trauma, and postural habits. Holistic approaches address the autonomic nervous system, somatic awareness, manual therapy, and underlying psychological drivers.
Recognition
Do any of these feel familiar?
A pervasive feeling of physical stiffness or bracing
Difficulty fully relaxing the body even in calm situations
Neck, shoulder, jaw, or lower back carrying persistent tension
Exhaustion from the energy cost of holding tension
Muscular discomfort that is always present at a low level
What is Physical Tension?
Chronic or persistent muscular tension as a background state, often driven by stress, postural habits, or nervous system hyperarousal. Contributes to pain, fatigue, and restricted movement.
Approaches Commonly Explored
Commonly explored for conditions related to Physical Tension, grouped by mechanism — select your subtype above to highlight the most relevant path.
How to use these approaches
Most people begin with Stabilise approaches, then progress toward Resolve and Sustain.
Physical structures — muscles, joints, fascia, and posture.
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