Why Do Muscles Twitch During Stretching? Here’s What Your Body’s Telling You

Jacquelynn Gould
Aug 10, 2023
2 min read

Updated: Jun 14

Have you ever wondered why your muscles twitch when you stretch? You’re not alone — and no, it doesn’t mean anything is wrong.

In fact, this common experience is your body’s nervous system communicating with your muscles in real time. And it’s one of the many clues I observe as a Registered Massage Therapist (RMT) when assessing muscle tension, fascial restriction, or postural imbalances.

🤔 So... Why Does It Happen?

Muscle twitching (also known as fasciculations) during stretching can be caused by:

🧠 Neural excitation: Your stretch stimulates nerve endings, causing brief firing in muscle fibers.
🪢 Muscle guarding: The muscle may be trying to protect itself, especially if it's overly tight or weak.
⚖️ Imbalance or compensation: One muscle group may be overworking to stabilize an area that's restricted.
💤 Fatigue or dehydration: Especially after a long day or intense workout.

Massage Therapy Helps Regulate This Response

When twitching is persistent, it may be your body’s way of asking for more focused care — and that’s where massage therapy comes in.

At Fusion Thai Massage, I combine traditional Thai techniques with Western clinical massage to calm the nervous system, reduce fascial tension, and re-educate the muscles to relax.

💆‍♀️ Treatments That Can Help:

1. Deep Tissue Massage Targets chronic muscular tension and fascial restrictions that contribute to twitching.

2. Thai Massage (Table or Mat-Based) Incorporates passive stretching, compression, and rhythmic movement to re-pattern neuromuscular responses.

3. PNF Stretching (Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation) Advanced stretch therapy used in rehab and mobility work to reset overactive muscle patterns.

4. Relaxation Massage Sometimes, twitching is a sign your nervous system needs to downshift. Calming the body helps everything else follow.

🌿 Why Clients Book for Twitching, Tension & More

Clients often come in with complaints like:

"My calves spasm when I stretch."
"I feel little zaps when I open up my hips."
"My shoulder shakes during yoga."

These are all signals we can work with during treatment. Massage isn’t just about relaxation—it’s about helping your body move better, heal faster, and feel safer doing it.