Chronic stress and chronic pain often show up as muscle tension—tight shoulders, jaw clenching, shallow breathing, headaches, neck pain, and upper back discomfort. At Vitality Chiropractic in Bend, Oregon, we talk about how the body works as an interconnected system (biotensegrity), why massage or stretching can provide temporary relief that doesn’t always last, and why factors like hypermobility, posture, sleep, previous injuries, sensory overload, and daily habits can keep tension patterns “stuck.”