By: Martin Morales

Unlike many of his colleagues, personal trainer, yoga teacher, and registered dietitian Rich Chi isn’t a fan of traditional stretching.

“Stretching just yanks on tight muscles, which accumulates a lifetime of tension,” Rich Chi says. “The Muscle Release System could actually help free them for more range of motion, strength, and speed!”

Millions of adults wake up each day with back pain or that deep ache of sciatic nerve tension. Poor posture, stress, and long hours sitting can lock muscles in constant tension. Many try stretching to fix it. Plus, athletes might find a competitive advantage to shave minutes off their marathon or push harder than their opponents by learning this system.

But Rich Chi believes there’s a potentially more effective answer.

The Back Pain Trap

Lower back pain affects up to 80% of adults at some point. Sciatic nerve pain, which can radiate from the lower back down the leg, disrupts sleep, movement, and focus. Stretching is often the first advice given. But does it really work?

Rich Chi, the creator of the Muscle Release System, says traditional stretching may not be the more effective solution for what our body really needs.

“Stretching simply yanks on tight muscles,” Rich explains. “But the muscles don’t always relax just because you are pulling on them. It can sometimes make tight muscles feel tighter! So all you really end up doing is pulling the joints out of place.”

Why Stretching Falls Short

Muscles build tension for protection. When you pull on them, they push back. This protective reflex keeps muscles locked tight, even after years of daily stretching.

Rich knows this firsthand. As a young athlete, he stretched constantly while training for MMA and wrestling. Yet, his muscles stayed stiff. Exhaustion and back pain almost ended his training and forced him to rethink everything he knew about wellness.

His search for answers led him to learn from ancient systems like yoga and acupuncture. He discovered how to release tension, not just stretch it.

Introducing the Muscle Release System

Rich created the Muscle Release System (MRS) to target deep muscle knots and help decompress the spine. Unlike traditional stretching, this method focuses on gentle, practical techniques to open locked muscles.

The result? Potentially better blood flow, improved oxygen delivery, open energy channels, and reduced pain.

Sessions are simple, with no extreme flexibility needed. A daily routine can take as little as 5-15 minutes. People often report feeling relief in a few minutes because the system helps the spine decompress and lets muscles relax naturally.

“When you learn to release tension instead of forcing it, you may feel lighter and freer,” Rich says. “Your body can start to heal because your cells might finally get what they need.”

From Sciatic Nerve Pain to Daily Relief

Many people with sciatic nerve pain spend years trying therapy after therapy with no lasting results. Tight muscles deep in the hips and lower back can pinch the sciatic nerve, causing pain to shoot down the leg.

The Muscle Release System teaches specific release techniques that help unlock these tight spots. The difference is in the approach: instead of yanking on muscles, you use small, guided movements to let them soften.

People who have tried Rich’s method report feeling more relief in one session than they did after years of stretching alone.

Want to Run Your Fastest Marathon or Gain That Competitive Advantage?

While the Muscle Release System has helped many with back pain, sciatica, and stiff muscles, in the world of competitive sports, every second, every play, every bit of strength may mean the difference between victory and defeat.

“Since stretching doesn’t work, we build up a lifetime of tension in our spine and muscles. So when you start to get rid of that tension for the first time, there is literally less resistance holding you back. This could mean more speed, better neuromuscular control, and more muscle recruitment. In other words, more strength!” Rich explains.

Rich says runners are his great athletes to work with. “Every runner I have worked with has shaved minutes off their marathon, up to 15 minutes off a full marathon because again, they got rid of a lifetime of muscle tension that was pulling them back with each stride.”

But it doesn’t stop there. Rich has also worked with wrestlers, golfers, swimmers, football and soccer players, and more. The universal principle is the same: make the muscles faster, more flexible, and stronger than all the people out there just stretching!

An Accessible System for Anyone

Busy parents, office workers, and athletes alike can potentially benefit. There’s no need for expensive equipment or painful procedures. As Rich explains, this routine is “designed to fit into real life.”

Rich combines this system with his broader Recharging Wellness Coaching. As a registered dietitian and personal trainer, he also helps clients create daily habits to stay pain-free, balanced, and energized.

The Five Pillars That Support Release

Rich’s approach goes beyond muscle work. He teaches people to focus on these five daily pillars:

• Rest and Sleep: Deep, improved rest gives the body time to heal tension naturally.
• Physical Activity and Flexibility: Gentle movement paired with release, not forced stretching.
• Mind and Emotions: Negative thought loops can add tension. Rich helps clients build awareness and shift their mindset.
• Nutrition and Hydration: Proper fuel keeps muscles healthy and strong.
• Energy Awareness: Understanding your daily energy helps you spot tension before it builds.

The Bigger Vision

Rich’s goal is to show people they do not have to live with back pain and sciatic nerve tension forever. Through his coaching, book, and live sessions, he teaches people how to listen to their bodies, release what holds them back, and build true daily wellness.

“Most people think tightness is normal,” Rich says. “It’s not. You can feel good again. You just have to stop forcing and start releasing.”

To learn more about the Muscle Release System or Recharging Wellness Coaching, visit Rich Chi’s website or grab his book, Get Recharged Now!

“Schedule a free plan to try a simple daily release routine and see if you feel the difference for yourself,” he finishes. Once you start releasing a lifetime full of tension, everything in the body could start to work better, and you may start to feel younger.”

One last reminder from Rich: “Don’t just sit there: Release!”

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical or professional advice. Always consult with a healthcare provider or a wellness professional before making any significant changes to your routine, diet, or exercise regimen. Individual results may vary, and the effectiveness of the suggestions mentioned in this article is not guaranteed.