Counterstrain

Counterstrain is a technique used in osteopathic medicine, osteopathy, physical therapy, massage therapy, and chiropractic to treat somatic dysfunction.[1] It is a system of diagnosis and treatment that uses tender points, which are produced by trauma, inflammation, postural strain, or disease, to identify structures to manipulate.[2] The manipulation uses light pressure to decompress the local nociceptors and mechanoreceptors responsible for the sensation of pain, returning central sensitization to its normal state. This technique extends Strain-counterstrain, a technique inhibits the reflexes by putting the tissues in a position of ease directly opposite to that of the reflex.[3][4] Strain-counterstrain is also known as the Jones technique, (correction spontaneous by position), and spontaneous release by position. Counterstrain was developed by Lawrence Jones in 1955 and was originally called “Spontaneous Release by Positioning,” before being termed “strain-counterstrain.”[5]

  1. ^ Wong, CK; Abraham, T; Karimi, P; Ow-Wing, C (Apr 2014). "Strain counterstrain technique to decrease tender point palpation pain compared to control conditions: a systematic review with meta-analysis". Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies. 18 (2): 165. doi:10.1016/j.jbmt.2013.09.010. PMID 24725782.
  2. ^ Tuckey, Brian; Shah, Jay; Tandon, Hannah (2017). "A New Rationale and Treatment Model for Neuromuscular Tender Points" (Document). Tuckey Continuing Education Services.
  3. ^ DiGiovanna, Eileen; Stanley Schiowitz; Dennis J. Dowling (2005) [1991]. "Counterstrain (Chapter 14)". An Osteopathic Approach to Diagnosis and Treatment (Third ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. pp. 86–88.
  4. ^ Chaitow, Leon (2014). Fascial Dysfunction: Manual Therapy Approaches, Chapter 16 - Positional Release Techniques. Pencaitland, East Lothian: Handspring Publishing. pp. 205–213. ISBN 978-1-909141-10-0.
  5. ^ "Glossary of Osteopathic Terminology" (PDF). American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine. April 2009. p. 28. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 October 2013. Retrieved 25 August 2012.