(NewsNation) — For many recovering from injury or surgery, their brain’s protective response – known as muscle guarding – can paradoxically prolong pain and hinder the healing process, The Washington Post reported.

Muscle guarding is an automatic reaction by the brain to protect an injured area by subconsciously directing surrounding muscles to tense up or “guard” the area, ostensibly to prevent further pain or injury.

While beneficial in the short-term to allow healing, chronic muscle guarding can become detrimental, per WAPO.

Experts say anxiety, rather than actual pain, may drive chronic muscle guarding. As the brain becomes hyperaware of potential threats, it creates new neural pathways, effectively “learning” to feel pain even when none exists.

The phenomenon also appears linked to endometriosis, a condition where the uterine lining grows outside the uterus, causing inflammation and pelvic pain. It commonly affects pregnant and postpartum women as their bodies rapidly change, according to WAPO.

While frustrating for patients, many doctors don’t properly address muscle guarding after surgery or injury, deferring rehabilitation to ensure strength and conditioning are fully restored.