I often get asked what got me into Counterstrain, so I will write about it here for all to know.
In 2011 I signed up for a continuing education class. Physical Therapists need 40 hours of continuing education every two years, and I thought I had signed up for Muscle Energy Technique. It was a four-day course and much to my surprise on the first day they were not talking about Muscle Energy but rather Counterstrain. By the end of the fourth day I could feel the difference in my own body and thought to myself, “Wow, this technique is really powerful!” As it turns out, this was the original Strain Counterstrain at this course.
From there I began using it as a technique within my treatments. So I would use Strain Counterstrain for the first 15 minutes of my treatment and then move on to other techniques such as stretching, mobilizations, massage, etc. It was very effective but still just a technique among many.
In 2021, my Physical Therapy Assistant, Brooke, went to a newer training where they were talking about Facial Counterstrain. Brian Tuckey, a Physical Therapist, expanded the Strain Counterstrain technique to Facial Counterstrain. He was able to figure out that that Fascial Counterstrain is actually opening the lymphatic valves and you could actually treat every system in the body; not just muscles/tendons/ligaments. Brooke came back from this training and informed me that this new Counterstrain is a game-changer for all clients. I quickly signed up for this training.
Since this time, as a clinic we have adopted the Facial Counterstrain as the preferred treatment method and have abandoned most other techniques I was using. Occasionally there will be a need for balance training, vestibular rehab, taping, etc., but for the most part if we are able to restore the body to homeostasis all the range of motion and strength deficits correct itself.
Being a traditional Physical Therapist for 20 years, I know the results I was seeing. I would say Facial Counterstrain is able to supply us with a map to get to the root of the problems instead of just treating symptoms.
The next blog will address the mechanism of how Fascial Counterstrain is actually working to treat the root cause.
Thank you for reading 🙂
