Your Tight Hips Aren’t the Issue
Sometimes you try a movement and it feels like your body just says ‘no’.
It’s not painful exactly. More like…. restricted. Guarded. Almost like your system put the brakes on before you even got going.
You might think that means something is wrong. That it’s a weakness, tightness, or something is out of alignment, or you need to stretch more.
Often, what you’re feeling isn’t limitation. It’s protection.
Tightness is one way your nervous system keeps you safe. If a joint, muscle, or movement pattern doesn’t feel stable or well-controlled, your body will reduce range of movement on purpose. Not to annoy you, but to stop you going somewhere it doesn’t trust yet.
In that sense, tightness is information.
It might be saying:
- “I don’t feel strong enough here yet.”
- “I’ve been asked to compensate too often.”
- “I don’t feel coordinated or supported in this range.”
Stretching harder doesn’t usually change that message. And forcing range can sometimes reinforce the body’s need to protect itself even more.
Instead, giving your body a reason to feel safe again can work better. That usually means:
- moving slowly and with control
- building strength through ranges, not just at the ends
- improving balance, coordination, and awareness
- showing your nervous system that you can handle the load
When that happens, range, or movement, often returns naturally. Not because you pushed it open, but because your body stopped needing hold on.
