It stimulates proprioceptors and can inhibit over activation in chronically tight muscles. I love the metaphor that massage is teaching your muscles how to be, how to get out of unhelpful cycles. By adding stretching, we can help that muscle find a better state. Add stretching before massage and see how much better the muscles respond. It feels good. Clients who are chronically “tight” get a huge dopamine release when that feeling gets relieved. It’s like finally scratching