By Paul Coker, Physiotherapist & Nervous System Specialist
We’ve built a culture that glorifies the grind.
Push harder. Train more. Keep going through the pain.
But in my work as a physiotherapist, especially with people living with chronic discomfort, one truth has stood out above the rest: you can’t bully your body into healing.
Real recovery doesn’t come from force. It comes from safety.
Why Recovery Has Nothing to Do With “Toughness”
When you’ve been in pain for a long time, your body’s not just tight or inflamed—it’s guarded. Your nervous system has become hypervigilant, convinced something’s wrong even when tissue has healed.
That’s because pain isn’t just about the body. It’s a protective mechanism from the brain.
If your nervous system doesn’t feel safe, it won’t let you move freely. No matter how many deep tissue sessions or mobility drills you do.
So what’s the solution?
Not more pressure. But more permission.
The Body Needs to Feel Heard, Not Fixed
Most people come to me wanting to be “fixed.” They’ve had a sore back for 6 months, tight shoulders for 10 years, or a hip that just won’t loosen up.
And often, they’ve tried everything—aggressive massages, stretching routines, painkillers, even surgery.
But here’s the breakthrough moment:
What if your body isn’t stuck because it’s weak, but because it’s scared?
Once people understand that their nervous system is simply doing its best to protect them, things begin to shift. It’s not about “doing more.” It’s about creating safety.
That’s when the real work begins.
Creating Calm for the Nervous System
In our clinic, we use all kinds of techniques to help the body feel safe again:
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Breathwork
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Grounding touch
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Movement that feels easy and supported
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Sensory tools like Tend
Tend, in particular, became a valuable part of my toolkit because of how non-threatening it is. It's not aggressive. It doesn’t overwhelm the system. Instead, it gives the nervous system new, gentle feedback—what I call "good news" for the brain.
This helps recalibrate sensitivity. Clients feel safer. Muscles stop guarding. Pain lowers naturally.
You can’t brute-force your way out of pain. But you can build trust again.
When Clients Start Feeling Again (Literally)
One of my clients, after weeks of guarded movement, used Tend for 10 minutes on their neck and upper back. Something shifted. Not just in the tissue—but in their emotional state.
They said, “I can finally feel where the tension is—without panicking.”
That moment matters. It’s a nervous system saying: “I trust this. I can lower the alarm.”
And once that happens, recovery accelerates.
Let’s Redefine What It Means to Recover
The world tells us to stretch more, strengthen more, try harder.
But recovery doesn’t happen in stress. It happens in safety.
In stillness.
In clarity.
In finally giving your body permission to let go.
That’s why I use Tend. And that’s why I teach clients to listen—to move slowly, breathe deeply, and trust that healing isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing what your body truly needs.
Sometimes, the most powerful thing you can do… is less.