Postural Strain: The Reset Sensation and How to Cope

Postural Strain: The Reset Sensation and Relief Through Chiropractic Care

Have you ever sat in a slouched position for too long, like while watching TV or working at a desk, and then felt a sharp discomfort when you tried to sit up straight? That brief pain or awkward feeling, followed by relief as your body adjusts, is a common experience. This phenomenon doesn’t have a single name but is often called postural strain, muscle tension, or trigger-point release. It happens when your muscles and joints get stuck in an unnatural position from poor habits, leading to temporary pain when you move back to a normal stance. In this article, we’ll explore what causes it, the key parts of the experience, possible reasons, and how integrative chiropractic care can help prevent and address it. We’ll also look at ways to manage it in daily life.

What Is Postural Strain and the Reset Sensation?

Postural strain occurs when your body stays in an uncomfortable position for a long time, such as hunching over a phone or sitting with crossed legs. This puts extra stress on muscles, connective tissues called fascia, and joints. When you finally move to a better position, you might feel pain or stiffness right away, but it often goes away quickly as things realign. This “reset” feeling is your body’s way of adjusting back to normal.

Experts explain that poor posture is a big reason for this. For example, slouching can make your spine curve too much, straining the muscles in your back and neck (Calhoun Spine Care & Wellness Center, 2024). Over time, this leads to tightness that feels uncomfortable when you try to correct it. The pain comes from tissues that have been compressed or overworked, and the relief happens as blood flow improves and tension releases.

• Common Signs: Deep aching in muscles, a knot that hurts when pressed, or pain that spreads to other areas.
• Why It Happens: Prolonged sitting or standing in awkward ways causes muscles to shorten on one side and weaken on the other, creating imbalance (Weybridge Physiotherapy, n.d.).
• Everyday Examples: After a long drive, standing up might cause lower back discomfort that fades after walking around.

This isn’t just about muscles—fascia plays a key role too. Fascia is a thin layer around your muscles that can get sticky and thick from lack of movement, leading to adhesions or knots (Hopkins Medicine, n.d.). When you move, it loosens up, giving that reset sensation.

Significant Components of the Experience

The reset experience has a few main parts. First, there’s often a sense of subluxation, or a limit in movement, where a joint feels stuck. This is common in the spine or neck due to bad posture. Muscles tense up to protect the area, but when you shift positions, they have to readjust fast, causing brief pain.

The “reset” sensation is like a quick realignment. Your body’s tissues, including muscles and joints, stretch back to their proper place after being squeezed. This can feel like a pop or release, especially if gas bubbles in the joint burst (Peak Performance Franklin, n.d.). The awkwardness is due to your nervous system and muscles getting used to normal again, sometimes with temporary guarding, where muscles stay tight to avoid further pain.

• Subluxation or Joint Limit: Joints become slightly misaligned, called subluxation, leading to restricted motion and pain on return to neutral (Jimenez, n.d.).
• Tension Buildup: Muscles and fascia face too much stress in odd positions, thickening and sticking together.
• Readjustment Discomfort: Moving causes short-term pain as everything shifts, but it subsides as balance returns.

Dr. Alexander Jimenez, a chiropractor with over 30 years of experience, observes that this often starts in the mid-back and radiates to the neck or lower areas. He notes that tight thoracic muscles from slouching can pull on the neck, creating aches that feel unrelated but stem from posture (Jimenez, n.d.).

Possible Causes of This Phenomenon

Several things can trigger postural strain and the reset feeling. One big cause is trigger points—sensitive spots in muscles that hurt when stretched or pressed. These form from overuse or poor posture, like carrying a heavy bag on one shoulder (WebMD, n.d.).

Adhesions in fascia are another issue. Fascia can get “sticky” from sitting too long, making movement hard and painful at first (Hopkins Medicine, n.d.). Somatic ache, or body-held tension, comes from unaware bad stances, leading to a “locked” feeling (On The Go Wellness, 2025).

Joint dysfunction, such as subluxation or a stuck joint, is common, too. When a joint doesn’t move properly, returning to normal can cause pain as the capsule and muscles readjust (Blackburn Chiropractor, n.d.).

• Trigger Points: Knots in muscles from repetitive strain, causing referred pain (Alila Medical Media, 2014).
• Fascia Adhesions: Thickened tissue that’s hard to move, often from inactivity (Somatic Movement Center, n.d.).
• Somatic Ache: Unconscious tension from stress or posture, mimicking injury pain (On The Go Wellness, 2025).
• Joint Issues: Fixation, where joints can’t fully move, leading to discomfort at full extension (NYDN Rehab, n.d.).

Causes of joint pain include fixation, where the joint is limited, forcing quick repositioning during movement. Proprioceptive reset is your body’s nerve response to regain position sense. Pain might come from gas release in joints or swollen tissues (Peak Performance Franklin, n.d.).

Dr. Jimenez points out that subluxations affect the entire neuromusculoskeletal system, leading to pain that can spread if not addressed. He sees this in patients with desk jobs or sports injuries, where posture imbalances quietly disrupt daily life (Jimenez, n.d.).

What Causes Joint Pain or Issues?

Joint problems often stem from poor posture and inactivity. When you hold a bad position, joints can get fixated—meaning they don’t glide smoothly. This causes pain when pushed to their limit, and on returning to neutral, everything must snap back into place.

• Fixation: Limited joint range from tension, leading to strain (Chiropractor in Meridian, n.d.).
• Proprioceptive Reset: Nerves help the body find its right position, but this can feel awkward at first (NYDN Rehab, n.d.).
• Pain Sources: Gas bubbles popping or tight muscles causing short discomfort (Peak Performance Franklin, n.d.).

Poor posture is the main culprit, straining muscles and leading to tension (Physis Rehab, n.d.). Over time, this can cause imbalances in which one muscle tightens while another weakens, disrupting the body’s chain of movement (Chiropractor in Meridian, n.d.).

Benefits of Integrative Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic care is a great way to handle postural strain without drugs or surgery. It focuses on realigning the body to ease tension and prevent resets from being painful.

Manual manipulation uses quick thrusts to free stuck joints, stopping your body from doing a painful fix on its own (EIHMD, n.d.). This often gives instant relief and that pop from gas release (Chiro One, n.d.).

Soft tissue therapy, such as myofascial release, targets inflammation and cramping to reduce discomfort (WebMD, n.d.). Mobilization and exercises restore joint range of motion and strengthen muscles to prevent getting stuck again (NYDN Rehab, n.d.).

Nervous system normalization removes nerve pressure, cutting pain and boosting function (Newark Pain and Rehab, n.d.).

• Manual Manipulation: Releases joints with controlled force, improving motion (Mayo Clinic, 2024).
• Soft Tissue Therapy: Eases tense areas with massage or release techniques (Hopkins Medicine, n.d.).
• Mobilization and Exercise: Builds strength to support optimal posture (Physis Rehab, n.d.).
• Nerve Relief: Adjusts the spine to free nerves, reducing overall discomfort (Oakland Spine NJ, n.d.).

Dr. Jimenez integrates chiropractic with functional medicine for full recovery. He uses adjustments for subluxations, mobility programs for posture, and nutrition to fight inflammation. His patients often report better agility and less daily pain after treatment (Jimenez, n.d.).

Chiropractic adjustments are safe and rarely hurt, though you might feel mild soreness, like after exercise (Flourish Chiropractic Spa, n.d.). They work for back, neck, and even extremity issues beyond the spine (Malone, n.d.).

Preventing Postural Strain in Daily Life

To avoid the discomfort of the reset, focus on healthy habits. Take breaks every 30 minutes to stand and stretch if you sit for long periods (Physis Rehab, n.d.). Use ergonomic setups, like chairs that support your lower back.

Exercise regularly—things like walking, yoga, or strength training help keep muscles balanced (Cleveland Clinic, n.d.). Pay attention to your posture: keep your shoulders back and head level.

• Daily Tips: Stand with weight evenly on both feet; avoid crossing legs.
• Stretches: Gentle neck rolls or back extensions to loosen up.
• When to See a Doctor: If pain lasts more than a few days or spreads, consult a chiropractor (Healthgrades, n.d.).

Dr. Jimenez advises checking posture often and using tools like foam rollers for self-care. He stresses that early fixes prevent chronic issues (Jimenez, n.d.).

Long-Term Effects and Management

If ignored, postural strain can lead to chronic pain or conditions like arthritis (Blackburn Chiropractor, n.d.). But with care, you can manage it. Combine chiropractic with lifestyle changes for the best results.

Studies show adjustments help with neck and back pain by improving alignment (Mayo Clinic, 2024). Over time, this leads to better wellness and fewer reset episodes.

In summary, postural strain and the reset sensation come from everyday habits but can be fixed with awareness and care. By understanding causes and using chiropractic methods, you can move freely without that awkward pain.

---

References

Alila Medical Media. (2014). Myofascial Pain Syndrome and Trigger Points Treatments, Animation. www.youtube.com/watch?v=QY9ePL690Dk

Blackburn Chiropractor. (n.d.). Postural Alterations. blackburnchiropractor.ca/conditions/postural-alterations/

Calhoun Spine Care & Wellness Center. (2024). Posture’s Impact on Back Pain Treatment Success. calhounspinecare.com/postures-impact-on-back-pain-treatment-success-3/

Chiro One. (n.d.). Here’s What Happens to Your Body When You Get Adjusted. www.chiroone.com/blog/heres-what-happens-to-your-body-when-you-get-adjusted/

Chiropractor in Meridian. (n.d.). When One Tight Muscle Breaks the Whole Chain: How Joint and Muscle Imbalance Quietly Disrupts Your Daily Life. chiropractorinmeridian.com/when-one-tight-muscle-breaks-the-whole-chain-how-joint-and-muscle-imbalance-quietly-disrupts-your-daily-life/

Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Muscle Stiffness. my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/25147-muscle-stiffness

EIHMD. (n.d.). How Does a Chiropractic Adjustment Work. eihmd.com/how-does-a-chiropractic-adjustment-work/

Flourish Chiropractic Spa. (n.d.). Chiropractor Pain. www.flourishchiropracticspa.com/chiropractor-pain/

Function First Indy. (n.d.). How Chiropractic Care Addresses Postural Alignment and Back Pain. www.functionfirstindy.com/how-chiropractic-care-addresses-postural-alignment-and-back-pain

Healthgrades. (n.d.). When to See a Doctor for Back Pain. resources.healthgrades.com/right-care/back-pain/when-to-see-a-doctor-for-back-pain

Hopkins Medicine. (n.d.). Muscle Pain: It May Actually Be Your Fascia. www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/muscle-pain-it-may-actually-be-your-fascia

Jimenez, A. (n.d.). Injury Specialists. dralexjimenez.com/

Jimenez, A. (n.d.). Dr. Alexander Jimenez, DC, APRN, FNP-BC, IFMCP, CFMP, ATN ?. www.linkedin.com/in/dralexjimenez/

Malone, D. (n.d.). How Chiropractic Extremity Adjustments Provide Health Beyond the Spine. drmmalone.com/how-chiropractic-extremity-adjustments-provide-health-beyond-the-spine/

Mayo Clinic. (2024). Chiropractic Adjustment. www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/chiropractic-adjustment/about/pac-20393513

Newark Pain and Rehab. (n.d.). The Power of the Adjustment: How Realigning the Spine Eases Pressure, Pain, and Inflammation. www.newarkpainandrehab.com/the-power-of-the-adjustment-how-realigning-the-spine-eases-pressure-pain-and-inflammation

NYDN Rehab. (n.d.). Feeling Stiff? Why Stretching May Not Be the Best Solution. nydnrehab.com/blog/feeling-stiff-why-stretching-may-not-be-the-best-solution/

Oakland Spine NJ. (n.d.). What Happens When a Chiropractor Aligns You? oaklandspinenj.com/what-happens-when-a-chiropractor-aligns-you/

On The Go Wellness. (2025). Somatic Soreness: The Overlooked Difference Between Muscle Pain and Emotional Tension Stored in the Body. onthegowellness.com/somatic-soreness-the-overlooked-difference-between-muscle-pain-and-emotional-tension-stored-in-the-body/

Peak Performance Franklin. (n.d.). FAQ. peakperformancefranklin.com/faq/

Physis Rehab. (n.d.). Poor Posture: The Main Culprit Behind Muscle Tension. www.physisrehab.com/poor-posture-the-main-culprit-behind-muscle-tension/

Somatic Movement Center. (n.d.). Unlocking Your Body. somaticmovementcenter.com/unlocking-your-body/

Spine Stop. (n.d.). What Happens During a Chiropractic Adjustment. www.spinestop.com/blog/what-happens-during-a-chiropractic-adjustment

WebMD. (n.d.). Myofascial Pain Syndrome. www.webmd.com/pain-management/myofascial-pain-syndrome

Weybridge Physiotherapy. (n.d.). Muscle Imbalance and Postural Dysfunction. www.weybridgephysio.co.uk/article/muscle-imbalance-and-postural-dysfunction