Why stretching isn’t fixing your pain: Jules Horn on fascia & trauma r

Jules Horn understands movement in a way few people do. His body has been shaped by two worlds, one of hard physical labor, the other of high-performance aesthetics. Before he became a model, traveling the world and working with global fashion houses, he spent years in Germany as a mechanic, hands deep in machinery, learning precision, endurance, and the effects of long hours on the human body.

The shift from a trade job to the fashion industry was radical, but not as radical as what came next, a total reexamination of what it means to move, to perform, and to feel well in your own skin.

Because despite the external markers of strength and success, something wasn’t right.

He explains that he knows ’what it feels like to feel stuck in a body that isn’t working the way it should.

"I know what it feels like to be stuck in a body that isn’t working the way it should,” Jules explains. “After years of pushing my limits, whether through labor, training, or just the demands of daily life, I had chronic stiffness, pain, and imbalances that no conventional approach could fix.”

Today, Jules works at the intersection of fascia, movement, and nervous system regulation, helping others release restrictions, restore fluidity, and reconnect with their own physical intelligence.

But what is fascia?

Most people think of the body in terms of muscles and bones, but fascia is the silent architecture that shapes how we move, feel, and recover. It’s a three-dimensional network of connective tissue that weaves through every structure in the body, wrapping around muscles, cushioning joints, and acting as a bridge between movement and the nervous system.

In an optimal state, fascia is fluid, elastic, and adaptable. It lets muscles glide, joints move freely, and energy transfer efficiently. But when it becomes restricted, whether from repetitive strain, stress, or past injuries, it tightens, creating stiffness, pain, and imbalance that stretching alone won’t fix.

How fascia stores trauma

The body doesn’t just store physical tension in fascia, it also stores emotional trauma. Fascia is densely innervated with sensory neurons that communicate with the nervous system. When we experience stress, trauma, or injury, our body reacts by tightening and "locking" certain areas of fascia to protect us.

For example:

A past injury can leave behind fascial adhesions, leading to movement restrictions long after the tissue has healed.
Chronic stress can cause fascia to tighten, leading to stiffness and poor circulation.
Emotional trauma can become embedded in fascial restrictions, as the body physically "remembers" past experiences.

This is why traditional stretching or strength training often fails to resolve deep-seated pain, because the root issue is not just in the muscles, but in the fascia itself.

3 essential steps to healing fascia

1. Hydrate properly to keep fascia fluid

Fascia is 70% water, but not all water hydrates fascia equally. When dehydrated, fascia becomes stiff, brittle, and prone to adhesions (small areas of stuck tissue that reduce mobility). Simply drinking more water isn’t enough your body needs the right minerals to retain it.

Drink structured water (naturally occurring in fresh fruits, raw dairy, coconut water, and bone broth).
Add natural electrolytes. A pinch of sea salt with lemon in water works perfectly.
Consume gelatine rich foods like bone broth to support fascia hydration and collagen production.

2. Release deep tension with myofascial work & nervous system regulation

If your body is stuck in chronic stress mode, your fascia will stay tight, guarded, and immobile.

Use myofascial release tools (foam rollers, massage balls, wooden dowels) to apply pressure to restricted areas.
Move slowly and breathe deeply during release work: fast, aggressive rolling can trigger muscle guarding.
Focus on the diaphragm: deep belly breathing releases tension in the ribs, spine, and pelvic floor, where many fascial adhesions form.
Incorporate vagus nerve stimulation (humming, cold exposure, deep exhalation) to shift the body into parasympathetic (rest & repair) mode, allowing fascia to relax.

3. Fuel Your fascia with collagen & ancestral nutrition

Fascia is metabolically active, and made up of collagen-rich proteins, meaning it needs collagen, minerals, and bioavailable nutrients to regenerate and stay pliable. Without the right nutrients, fascia can become brittle, weak, and prone to dysfunction.

Jules integrates Organised into his routine as part of this inside out approach to recovery and fascial resilience: