#113-Unlocking Flexibility: How Breath, Brain, and Emotions Shape Effective Stretching with Butch Phelps, LMT, Part 1

Unlocking Flexibility: How Breath, Brain, and Emotions Shape Effective Stretching with Butch Phelps, LMT

What if the biggest barrier to flexibility isn’t your muscles — but your brain?

Research shows that traditional static stretching can actually trigger your nervous system to tighten, making it harder—not easier—to release tension.

In this first installment of our two-part series, we sit down with Butch Phelps, LMT, creator of the Stretch and Release Technique and author of the award-winning book Stretch and Release. With more than 20 years of experience studying muscle science, Butch reveals why so much of what we were taught about stretching doesn’t hold up—and how shifting to a neurofascial approach can transform outcomes for your patients.

💡 WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE:

• Why static stretching often fails to create lasting change
• How the brain—not just the body—controls muscle tension and flexibility
• The role of emotions, stress, and past experiences in chronic tightness
• A new way to think about stretching that integrates breathwork, self-awareness, and the brain-muscle connection

This conversation will challenge what you thought you knew about stretching and open the door to more effective ways of addressing pain, mobility, and function.

🔗 RESOURCES & LINKS:

• Learn more about Butch Phelps: musclerepairshop.com
• Watch over 200 instructional videos on his YouTube channel: The Muscle Repair Shop
• Grab a copy of his award-winning book Stretch and Release here.

🎧 Don’t miss Part 2 of this series (Episode 114), where Butch shares specific techniques for calves, hamstrings, and more—and how to integrate them into practice for real-world results.
🎙️ SUPPORT THE SHOW: Visit our website at faktrpodcast.com to leave a review or comment
💻 JOIN US FOR A FREE MASTERCLASS: October 2, 2025 at 1pm EST. Learn More