Autism and Muscle Tension

Why many autistic people experience muscle tension and what we can do about it.
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Autism and Muscle Tension: • Autism and Muscle Tension
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My name is Christian Swenson. I'm a 29-year old autistic man with interests in philosophy, art history, and all sorts of things. I made this channel to talk about the experience of autism from an autistic perspective. Autistic consciousness isn't normal consciousness. The autistic world isn't the normal world. I want to explore that world with you.

[@wickjezek5093]

Thank you! I realized recently part of why I have trouble sleeping is that I hold my muscles tightly. I'm mentally tired, but my muscles refuse to relax.

[@PaulaMMH]

same here, it is like i can never relax

[@Truerealism747]

Pain everyday?

[@wickjezek5093]

@@Truerealism747 Daily.

[@Truerealism747]

​@@wickjezek5093where do you have it constant are you hypermobile

[@Truerealism747]

​@@wickjezek5093where abouts do you have it just seen your reply

[@RosieYoungUrs4ever]

Your channel is a godsend. 🙏 I literally couldn't understand why I CONSTANTLY keep tension in my muscles, especially around my back and spine. It's still potentially a medical thing, but it never occurred to me how much I am CONSTANTLY tensed from social interactions, mishaps and expectations when I think I messed up on something. I knew I was often anxious buy unpon closer reflection, I am often tense the moment I walk out in public.. seriously, thank you for this. 🙏🙏🙏

[@williamtheautisticguy1996]

I'm autistic myself, but I don't have muscle tension. In fact, I'm glad I'm built like Ving Rhames, Arnold Schwarzneggar, Mike Tyson, and Dwayne The Rock Johnson.

[@Dancestar1981]

It is an issue we have major flexibility issues when it comes to muscles, and gut issues too

[@ZhovtoBlakytniy]

Look into EDS Ehlers-Danlos syndrome

[@Weird_guy79]

I recently found that when going to bed I hold so much tension I don't actually relax physically. I hold muscles tight and wow has that caused problems.

[@Truerealism747]

Most of us aslo have generally anxiety disorders

[@misterbulger]

Maybe this is why I've had an unexplainable back/hip ache for 25 yrs. Been to every doctor.

[@MsMastress]

Wow! I never quite put together just how tense I am most of the time. I also feel a rush of intense emotions whenever I try to relax. Thank you so much for describing this Chris. I've only seen two of your videos so far, but I've already learned more from you than I have from any neurotypical resource. Hope you're doing well!

[@elizabethjones2084]

I never knew I wasn't alone in this!

[@Truerealism747]

Do you have it everyday.

[@misterbulger]

Tensing up leading to relaxation is exactly how dry needles work

[@remygallardo7364]

I find that something especially important to supplement this is to do your best to be aware of the state you are or have been in leading up to your awareness of tension/lack of tension for those on the opposite end of this dichotomy, as a way to learn to adapt and anticipate triggers or difficulties. For me, my example would be how I handle very stressful situations versus seemingly inconsequential situations that are much more about subtle social nuance. In stressful situations, i.e. a natural disaster, a carbon monoxide detector going off in your house, a car accident, I find I am incredibly relaxed and respond to situations with the same fluidity and relaxation that I feel. But in social situations, misunderstanding a metaphor or missing a cue or not intrinsically understanding something neurotypicals never think twice about I am incredibly tense especially in my neck and upper back. Strategies to help alleviate or generate tension when they are appropriate or therapeutic are wonderful tools to have but by combining that with awareness of the source of tension it is possible to build toward that natural rhythm of body awareness that we lack.

[@Truerealism747]

Do you have this everyday

[@orbismworldbuilding8428]

Loose joints are usually adapted to with over tense muscles Currently training my body to adapt well to my joint hypermobility

[@Truerealism747]

Is it constant as I have eds or hsd to.but it's the Asperger's I believe

[@screamingcolormusic]

I'm only a minute and a half into this video and I'm already crying. I have never felt so seen. I feel like this is the video I've been looking for for years. I'm so excited for this right now

[@karowolkenschaufler7659]

this is very interesting. I struggle (really struggle. I've been on sick leave because of it) with fatigue and muscle tension/exhaustion/pain. like my muscles are working all the time but I'm not doing anything. I don't have an official diagnosis but I strongly suspect I a bit of an auDHDer... from what I can relate to from hearing people with a diagnosis describing it... this is a fresh path to go down. just tried the self hugging and automaticly did a deep in- and exhale before he even mentioned it. so there is definetly some value for me in it.

[@moniheir]

This really helped release some tension. You should make another video on this topic.

[@AnthonyWade7]

Several years ago, I had left a very stressful situation and developed an enormous pain in my core, to the point that it was too painful to even hold my son who was a only few months old. I ended up getting help from a chiropractor who basically punched me in the solar plexus. It was slow to loosen up, but that was exactly what my body needed.

[@yenee94]

Thank you for this video. You're very articulate. /genuine /grateful

[@Ngasha]

It was good. I like this Audible recording called 61 Points of Light for relaxation if I’m in pain. I’ve heard of the vagus nerve subject, thx for the reference. I’ll try to find her videos sometime.

[@hjbit]

I'm the opposite.....my muscles are SOOOOO relaxed! that it takes a sickening amount of effort to do anything!......I have a video of me doing barbell curls, and I look like I should be able to manhandle the weight because I'm a big guy!......but the absolutely sickeningly strained expression on my face where I'm pulling with everything I've got, I look my my soul is leaving my body......and my muscles are just chillin out!! ......like they aren't even firing!!.....I workout everyday, and feel NOTHING in my muscles!.....it's all in my bones and joints!!.....I do have bigger muscles but they look sleepy!.....I have very sleepy muscles!....big but sleepy and soft! ......and if I try to sit with good posture, my heart pounds I start sweating and it becomes excruciating!......I have to slouch!.......I absolutely hate being like this!!

[@JezebelSteffen]

Thank you so so so much for this.

[@AstraI1]

thanks for trying to help people

[@catherinelevison3310]

Genius. Very impressive and helpful.

[@sharonvaldez9059]

I just found your videos. Thank you so much for this info. It’s powerful stuff!

[@TheKaliedescope]

I think i get very tense when I'm trying to get myself to do things or switch tasks or start a task and i can't do the transition. Like somehow part of me thinks the tension will help me go. But it kinda makes me more stuck.

[@stoatrepublic]

Thank you for this video!...

[@Truerealism747]

Git constant upper body if course ime hypomobile anyone cured this though it's changed over the years TMS trigger points

[@thechickincharge1073]

I am seeing a load of studies on fibromyalgia and autism now!!

[@Truerealism747]

Or is it the eds in all of us I was diagnosed neurosthenia 1998 now fybromyalgia

[@Dancestar1981]

I’ve had fibromyalgia before and I have dual ASD and combined ADHD diagnosis put on SSRI antidepressants at age 17 to control it but now can’t get off them now age 42

[@Truerealism747]

@@Dancestar1981 seams the reason we have it is asd causes stress and the ADHD causes low dopamine check out Dr lenz one 43 suffering 17 but I had what I now no SPD OCD from 2 do you have heds

[@Truerealism747]

Claire weeks saw this in 1962.

[@shadetreader]

You lost me with the House reference 😬