Why Stretching Isn’t Fixing Your Tight Muscles

If you’re stretching regularly but still feel tight, sore, or restricted, you’re not alone. Many people assume tight muscles mean they need more stretching. But in many cases, stretching isn’t fixing the real problem—and sometimes it’s not the solution at all.

Muscles often feel tight not because they’re shortened, but because they’re protective. When the nervous system senses instability, joint restriction, or poor communication between the brain and body, it increases muscle tension to create support. This is the body’s way of keeping you safe.

Stretching a muscle that’s tight due to protection may provide temporary relief, but the tension usually returns—sometimes even stronger—because the underlying issue hasn’t been addressed.

Your muscles are controlled by your nervous system. When joints in the spine or extremities aren’t moving properly, nerve signals can become distorted. The brain may interpret this as a threat and respond by tightening surrounding muscles.

That’s why stretching alone often feels like a short-term fix. You’re working on the symptom (muscle tension), not the cause (joint restriction and nervous system imbalance).

Stretching Can Sometimes Make Things Worse

Overstretching muscles that are already overworked or compensating can lead to irritation, inflammation, or even injury. This is especially common in areas like the neck, low back, hips, and hamstrings.

If your body is using muscle tension to stabilize a problem area, forcing that muscle to relax without correcting the source can leave you feeling unstable or sore.

Dr. Overstad focuses on restoring proper joint motion and improving nervous system function. When spinal or joint restrictions are corrected, the brain no longer needs to hold muscles in a protective state. As communication improves, muscles can naturally relax, balance returns, and movement becomes easier—often without aggressive stretching.

Stretching has its place, but it’s not always the answer to tight muscles. If tension keeps coming back, it may be your body signaling a deeper issue.

By addressing how your spine, joints, and nervous system work together, chiropractic care helps your body release tension from the inside out—leading to longer-lasting relief and better overall function.

Click here to contact Dr. Robin Overstad or call (612) 802-2580

Micro-Stress: The Small Physical Tensions That Add Up Over Time

Most people think stress shows up as pain, injury, or burnout. But long before that happens, the body experiences micro-stress—small, repeated physical tensions that quietly accumulate over time.

Micro-stress doesn’t usually announce itself. You may not wake up in pain or feel “injured.” Instead, your body feels tighter, less flexible, or slower to recover. Energy drops. Movements feel restricted. You feel stiff after sitting, standing, or sleeping, even though nothing dramatic happened.

These small physical tensions come from everyday life. Hours at a desk. Repetitive movements. Holding your phone in the same position. Driving. Emotional stress that never fully resolves. Individually, none of these seem significant. Together, they place constant low-level demand on your muscles, joints, and nervous system.

Your body adapts to this stress by compensating. Muscles stay slightly contracted. Joints move less freely. The nervous system remains on alert. Over time, these adaptations become your new “normal.” This is why many people say, “I thought this was just how my body was now.”

The challenge with micro-stress is that it doesn’t always cause immediate pain. Instead, it reduces resilience. When the body loses adaptability, even minor stressors—an awkward movement, poor sleep, or a busy week—can feel overwhelming. This is often when discomfort finally shows up, even though the real issue has been building for months or years.

Chiropractic care looks at how these small physical tensions affect the spine and nervous system over time. Rather than waiting for symptoms to escalate, chiropractic adjustments help restore motion, reduce unnecessary tension, and support the body’s ability to adapt. When movement improves and the nervous system functions more efficiently, the body handles daily stress with less effort.

Addressing micro-stress early can make a meaningful difference. People often notice they move more freely, recover faster, and feel more comfortable in their bodies overall. It’s not about fixing one problem—it’s about preventing many small stresses from becoming a bigger one.

If your body feels tighter, less responsive, or slower to bounce back, micro-stress may be playing a role. Paying attention to these subtle signals can help you stay ahead of discomfort and support long-term physical well-being.

Click here to contact Dr. Robin Overstad or call (612) 802-2580

The Difference Between Muscle Pain and Nervous System Overload

Many people assume that all pain comes from tight or injured muscles. While muscles certainly play a role, they are often not the true source of ongoing discomfort. In many cases, pain reflects nervous system overload, not simple muscle strain. Understanding the difference helps explain why pain sometimes lingers even after rest, stretching, or massage.

Muscle pain usually develops after overuse, injury, or sudden strain. You might notice soreness, stiffness, or tenderness in a specific area. This type of pain often improves with rest, heat, hydration, gentle movement, or manual therapy. Muscles heal relatively quickly when they receive proper blood flow and recovery time. If muscle pain were the whole story, most people would feel better within days.

However, many patients experience pain that behaves differently. It comes and goes unpredictably, feels widespread, or persists despite doing “all the right things.” This pattern often points to nervous system overload.

Your nervous system controls how your body perceives pain, tension, and stress. When it becomes overloaded, it stays stuck in a heightened state of alert. Poor posture, chronic stress, spinal misalignment, lack of sleep, and repetitive strain can all overwhelm the nervous system. Instead of relaxing, the body remains guarded and tense. Muscles tighten as a protective response, but they are reacting to faulty nerve signaling—not causing the problem themselves.

Nervous system overload can show up as muscle tightness, headaches, jaw tension, fatigue, poor sleep, or pain that moves from one area to another. You may also feel sensitive to touch or notice that small stresses trigger big reactions. In these cases, treating muscles alone brings only temporary relief.

Chiropractic adjustments help restore proper spinal motion and improve communication between the brain and body. By reducing interference in the nervous system, chiropractic care allows muscles to relax naturally instead of being forced to release. Over time, the body shifts out of a constant “fight or flight” state and into a healthier balance.

Pain is not always a sign of tissue damage. Often, it is a signal that the nervous system needs support. By addressing the root cause rather than chasing symptoms, Dr. Overstad can help the body heal more effectively and function at a higher level.

If pain keeps returning or never fully resolves, it may be time to look beyond muscles and consider the health of your nervous system.

Click here to contact Dr. Robin Overstad or call (612) 802-2580

The New Back Pain:

How Screen Time Rewires Your Spine

In today’s world, digital fatigue has quietly become the new form of back pain. People spend hours sitting, scrolling, typing, and staring at screens, often without noticing how their posture shifts over time. Your body wasn’t designed to hold the same position all day, and your spine responds quickly to the stress. The more time you spend on a device, the harder your muscles and joints work to keep you upright, balanced, and focused.

When you look down at your phone, the weight on your neck increases dramatically. A head that normally weighs about 10 pounds can suddenly feel like 40 or 50 pounds as the spine tilts forward. This constant strain rewires your posture, tightens your shoulders, and weakens the stabilizing muscles around your spine. Over time, this creates pain, stiffness, reduced flexibility, and headaches. That’s why digital fatigue isn’t just an annoyance—it’s a pattern your spine begins to memorize.

Your nervous system also feels the effects. Screen time keeps your brain in a heightened state of focus. Your body holds tension without you realizing it, especially in the neck, upper back, and jaw. Chiropractic adjustments help break this pattern by restoring motion to the spine and calming the overstimulated nerves that keep your body locked in “tech posture.” When the spine moves better, your brain receives clearer information and your muscles relax naturally.

Chiropractic care gives your body a reset from digital fatigue. Adjustments improve mobility in stiff joints, reduce inflammation, and release pressure that builds around the neck and shoulders. Patients often notice clearer thinking, easier breathing, and better sleep after restoring balance to the spine. And when the spine functions better, your posture naturally improves, even during long days at a desk or on a device.

You can protect yourself from digital fatigue by adding small habits to your day. Sitting up straight, taking standing breaks, stretching your chest, and lifting your phone to eye level all reduce stress on your spine. But the most effective way to counteract screen-related strain is to keep your spine aligned, mobile, and supported through regular chiropractic care.

Your digital world isn’t going away—but your pain doesn’t need to stay. When you take care of your spine, you stay comfortable, energized, and focused, no matter how much time you spend on a screen. Chiropractic care keeps your body resilient so digital fatigue doesn’t become your new normal.

Click here to contact Dr. Robin Overstad or call (612) 802-2580

Your body is constantly communicating with you — especially your spine. When stress builds up, your nervous system shifts into overdrive, and your spine often shows the first signs. At Overstad Chiropractic, we help patients understand how emotional stress becomes physical tension, and how to recognize these early warning signals before they become chronic pain. When you can “read” your spine, you can take action sooner and support your body’s natural ability to heal.

Stress Shows Up First in Your Neck

When you’re overwhelmed or carrying mental tension, the muscles in your neck tighten automatically. This protective response can restrict movement, cause headaches, or lead to that familiar feeling of stiffness at the base of your skull.
If your neck feels tight at the end of most days, your body is signaling that your stress levels are too high.

Shoulder Tension Reveals Emotional Load

Your shoulders act like storage tanks for stress. When they rise, round forward, or feel constantly tight, it often reflects emotional pressure or overthinking.
This posture pulls your spine out of alignment and can even affect your breathing.
Persistent shoulder tension is one of the clearest signs that your nervous system is stuck in “fight or flight.”

Low Back Pain Can Signal Overwhelm

Stress doesn’t just affect the upper body — your lower spine feels it too. The low back often absorbs the impact of long-term stress through muscle tension, poor posture, and reduced mobility.
If your low back aches more during busy or emotional weeks, that’s not a coincidence.
Your body may be telling you that it’s carrying more than it can comfortably hold.

Your Posture Reflects Your State of Mind

When stress rises, your posture naturally collapses: shoulders forward, head down, breathing shallower. This slumped position can stress the spine and increase fatigue.
Chiropractic adjustments help restore posture, calm the nervous system, and give your body the opportunity to reset.

Click here to contact Dr. Robin Overstad or call (612) 802-2580

Your immune system is your body’s built-in defense network, constantly working to protect you from illness, infection, and inflammation. But did you know that regular chiropractic care can help strengthen that system? By improving communication between the spine, nervous system, and immune system, chiropractic adjustments help your body function at its best.

Your nervous system controls every function in your body — including your immune response. When the spine is misaligned, it can disrupt the nerve signals that help regulate immunity. Gentle chiropractic adjustments remove this interference, restoring clear communication between the brain and body so your immune system can work efficiently.

Reducing Stress and Inflammation

Chronic stress and inflammation are two of the biggest factors that weaken immunity. Chiropractic care helps balance the nervous system, reduce tension, and calm the body’s stress response. Patients often notice they sleep better, feel more relaxed, and recover more quickly from minor illnesses or fatigue.
By reducing inflammation and stress, chiropractic care supports the body’s natural healing and defense processes.

Promoting Whole-Body Health

When your spine and nervous system are in balance, every part of your body — including your immune system — performs better. Many patients report fewer colds, faster recovery times, and more energy after consistent chiropractic care. Combined with proper nutrition, hydration, and movement, regular adjustments help keep you healthy year-round.

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The Bottom Line:
Chiropractic care is about more than pain relief — it’s about helping your body function optimally from the inside out. Dr. Robin focuses on restoring balance to the nervous system so your immune system can stay strong, resilient, and ready to protect you.

Click here to contact Dr. Overstad or call (612) 802-2580

Aging is a natural part of life, but how we age is largely up to us. While genetics play a role, your daily habits and lifestyle choices have a much greater impact. One often-overlooked factor in healthy aging is spinal health — and that’s where we come in.

Your spine does far more than support your posture. It’s the communication highway between your brain and body. When your spine is properly aligned, your nervous system functions at its best, helping every organ, muscle, and cell stay in sync. This is essential for maintaining balance, strength, coordination, and even mental clarity as you age.

Over time, stress, injuries, and poor posture can create misalignments, or subluxations, in the spine. These subtle shifts can interfere with nerve function, leading to stiffness, pain, fatigue, and slower recovery. Regular chiropractic adjustments restore proper alignment, allowing your body to move more freely and efficiently.

One of the biggest benefits of chiropractic care for older adults is improved mobility. When joints move the way they should, it’s easier to stay active — and activity is the foundation of longevity. Chiropractic adjustments help reduce inflammation, relieve tension, and keep your range of motion strong, so you can continue doing the things you love.

It also supports balance and coordination by ensuring the brain receives accurate signals from the body. This can lower your risk of falls and help you stay confident and independent as you age.

Healthy aging isn’t about avoiding time — it’s about maximizing it. By keeping your spine aligned and your nervous system healthy, Dr. Overstad helps your body function the way it was designed to. Combined with good nutrition, regular movement, and mindful stress management, it’s one of the most natural ways to stay youthful and strong.

Aging smarter starts with how you care for your spine. Regular chiropractic adjustments can help you move better, feel better, and live better — no matter your age.

Click here to contact Dr. Overstad or call (612) 802-2580

If you’ve ever dealt with jaw pain, clicking, or stiffness, you may already know how disruptive TMJ issues can be. The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects your jawbone to your skull and is responsible for talking, chewing, and everyday movement. When this joint becomes strained or misaligned, the discomfort can spread to your face, head, neck, and even shoulders. The good news? Dr. Overstad offers a natural and effective approach to easing TMJ pain and restoring balance.

Understanding TMJ Problems

TMJ disorders often come from a combination of stress, teeth grinding, poor posture, or even past injuries. Symptoms may include:

• Jaw pain or tenderness
• Clicking or popping sounds
• Difficulty opening or closing the mouth
• Headaches or ear pain
• Tightness in the neck and shoulders

Many people don’t realize how connected the jaw is to the rest of the body. A misaligned spine, especially in the upper neck, can contribute to jaw tension and worsen TMJ issues.

Dr. Overstad looks at the whole picture, not just the jaw itself. By improving alignment in the spine and addressing tension in surrounding muscles, chiropractic adjustments help reduce the stress placed on the TMJ. Gentle techniques may also be applied directly to the jaw to restore proper movement.

Regular chiropractic care can:

• Reduce pain and inflammation
• Improve jaw mobility
• Ease tension in the neck and shoulders
• Promote natural healing without medications

Because chiropractic care takes a holistic approach, patients often notice improvements beyond just jaw relief. Better posture, less stress, and improved nervous system function can all contribute to long-term comfort and reduced flare-ups.

You don’t have to live with jaw pain or daily discomfort from TMJ issues. Dr. Overstad offers a safe, non-invasive way to address the root of the problem and support lasting healing. If you’re struggling with TMJ symptoms, now is the perfect time to explore how chiropractic adjustments can restore balance and help you feel like yourself again.

Click here to contact Dr. Overstad or call (612) 802-2580

Feeling tired all the time isn’t just about getting too little sleep. Low energy can come from stress, poor posture, and even spinal misalignments that affect how your nervous system functions. Many people are surprised to learn that regular chiropractic care may help restore energy naturally by improving the way your body works as a whole.

Your spine does more than support your body — it also protects the nervous system. When the spine is out of alignment, it can create stress on the nerves, muscles, and joints. This extra tension uses up energy that your body could be directing toward healing, focus, and daily activity. Chiropractic adjustments help restore proper alignment, reducing this strain and allowing your nervous system to function more efficiently.

Poor spinal alignment can lead to muscle tightness, pain, and restless sleep. Without quality rest, it’s nearly impossible to feel energized the next day. By correcting imbalances, chiropractic care may help improve sleep quality, so your body can recover and recharge the way it’s meant to.

When your body moves freely, it doesn’t have to work as hard. Adjustments can ease joint restrictions and improve circulation, which helps deliver oxygen and nutrients more effectively throughout the body. The result? Less fatigue and more stamina to get through your day.

Stress doesn’t just affect your mood — it also drains energy. Chiropractic adjustments support the parasympathetic nervous system, the part of your body responsible for rest and recovery. By calming tension and reducing stress, chiropractic care helps free up energy you may not even realize you were losing.

A Natural Energy Boost

While coffee or energy drinks provide a temporary fix, chiropractic care focuses on improving the root causes of fatigue. By aligning your body and supporting your nervous system, adjustments may give you a lasting boost in energy that helps you feel more alert, productive, and balanced.

Click here to contact Dr. Overstad or call (612) 802-2580

Can Adjustments Help You Breathe Easier?

As the leaves change and the air cools, many people look forward to fall. But for allergy sufferers, autumn can bring itchy eyes, congestion, sneezing, and fatigue. Ragweed pollen, mold spores, and dust often make this season uncomfortable. While medications may provide temporary relief, many people are searching for natural, drug-free options. This is where chiropractic care comes in.

Chiropractic adjustments do more than align your spine. They also support your nervous system, which controls every function in your body — including how your immune system responds to allergens. When the spine is misaligned, nerve communication can be disrupted. This stress on the nervous system may make it harder for your body to regulate inflammation and heal properly.

By restoring proper alignment, chiropractic adjustments can help reduce stress on the nervous system. This often leads to improved breathing, stronger immune response, and better overall balance in the body. Patients frequently report that regular care helps them handle seasonal changes with fewer flare-ups.

Another benefit of chiropractic care is improved posture and rib cage mobility. If your spine and chest are restricted, your lungs can’t expand fully, making allergy symptoms like congestion feel worse. Adjustments and supportive exercises can open the chest and improve oxygen flow, making it easier to breathe deeply.

Chiropractic doesn’t replace allergy medication, but it can complement it. Think of it as a way to strengthen your foundation. When your nervous system works at its best, your body can adapt more easily to environmental stressors like pollen and mold. Many patients also notice better sleep, less fatigue, and greater energy — all important for managing seasonal allergies.

This fall, don’t let Fall allergies hold you back. If you struggle with congestion, sneezing, or fatigue, consider chiropractic care as part of your wellness routine. Aligning your spine helps support your immune system, your breathing, and your overall resilience. Dr. Overstad offers a natural, safe, and effective way to feel your best — so you can enjoy all that autumn has to offer.

Click here to contact Dr. Overstad or call (612) 802-2580