I was reading that chronic stress leads the body into maintaining higher cortisol levels and that after the stress is gone the levels remain high. If one has high cortisol for a long period of time and then it eventually returns to normal does the body raise the cortisol way back up again and remain if one stress appears again.

In other words do the adrenals get so taxed from being at high levels of cortisol for so long that when the cortisol levels return to normal, but a new stress or chronic stress returns, that the body goes back into constant high cortisol again?

I was also reading that constant stress and high cortisol affect the connective tissues and muscles. My main problem is knots and tight muscles that cause me pain most days. I also will say that I have been through a lot of emotional stress the last few years and I think that messed up my muscles. I also think it lowered my thyroid hormone function as well.

Even though my life is less stressful and I’m relaxed (at least I think I am, but my massage therapist said i’m always tense) my muscles are still tight with trigger knots in them. I take 15mg of HC and I’m wondering maybe I need to go higher?

I want my muscle and connective tissue to return to normal, or at least stop causing me pain.