#0 · Oct 17, 2004, 21:36 · dreamosis

Does anybody have ideas/methods of working through chronically tight muscles?

I have very tight calves, and a very tight midback.  Often, when I do relaxation--prior to an OBE-attempt--I feel unable to really let go of these muscles.

I try running extra energy through the muscles, and of course, I often stretch beforehand. ...It may be I'm simply not caring enough for myself physically, or doing enough stretching.

Anybody have any ideas?

#1 · Oct 18, 2004, 05:14 · astralspinner

Stop doing OBE attempts and just work on relaxation excercises for a few days.

#2 · Oct 18, 2004, 06:43 · Frank

From what you say I'd suggest paying more serious attention to your frame. Muscles that are so inflexible are almost always a sign of far worse problems to come. Lower back tension is often a sign of bad posture generally. It might pay you to look at how you are using yourself throughout the day. How you carry yourself while standing and how you sit.

There is the other point of how much weight you are carrying. Too much weight around the middle places great strain on the lower to middle back region. Walking is a great tension releaser. Particularly walking in the countryside as you get a variety of surfaces and the whole body gets exercised without you really knowing it.

As a shorter-term solution I'd suggest for you to try having a hot bath beforehand with some herbal muscle relaxer in the water. Sometimes if I've been overdoing it on the farm the muscles around my shoulders can feel a little sore. So I have a good soak with a mix of essential oils in the water which works wonders.

HTH

Yours,
Frank

#3 · Oct 18, 2004, 08:14 · cube

Like Frank said warm baths are good, I like to sit in the tub as the water drains out. As the water level falls I imagine the tension draining out as well.