All movement and strength comes from the ability of the muscles to use calcium to contract and from their dependency on the circulatory system to provide oxygen and the lymphatic system to flush out and carry away the metabolic waste. Since muscles are arranged in pairs, one muscle must relax so the other can contract in order for them to remain healthy and functional.

The fibers of a healthy muscle will glide smoothly along one another within a muscle bundle as they are bathed in lymphatic fluid. Conversely, when an injury to a muscle occurs, the muscle fibers actually stick together restricting the lymphatic fluid from entering and causing them to become dehydrated. This condition may cause pain, stiffness, numbness, immobility and a variety of other dysfunctions.

Injuries are not the only contributor to muscle dysfunction. Frequently, age, overuse, injury, as well as emotional and physical trauma place increased demands on the body which result in lymphatic and circulatory system breakdowns. Both insufficient oxygen and a build up of metabolic byproducts add to the problem. All these conditions cause hypertoned muscles being in a constant state of contraction. The unfortunate result of this tightening is muscle spasm.