Strain/Counterstrain:
Originally developed by an osteopathic physician, Lawrence Jones, DO, FAAO, strain-counterstrain technique is a method for reducing chronic and/or acute muscle spasm anywhere in the body. The big advantage of this technique is its extreme gentleness to the patient. The patient often wonders how this technique can work when the therapist does not seem to be “doing anything”.
How it works – the technique
* The therapist identifies the muscle in spasm.
* The muscle can be in visible or palpable spasm or can be identified by “tender points”.
* The therapist positions the body so the muscle is in a shortened position and holds the position for at least 90 seconds. At times, the position is held greater that 5 minutes waiting for changes in muscle and fascia (tissues surrounding muscles and organs).
* The therapist monitors tissue change and waits for optimum improvement to occur.
The shortened position of a muscle is a non-threatening position for a muscle in spasm. The communication from the muscle to the nervous system at this time is one of relaxation. The nervous system no longer receives the excessive feedback from the muscle and instructs the muscle tone to change from spasm to a resting tone. Relief and restoration of motion is often immediate. By disarming muscle spasm in major muscle groups the body is able to return to pain free function and pain free movement can be restored and built upon with exercise.
