7/24/2019 Strain Counterstrain Handout March 26 2010

1/3

Introduction to Strain/Counterstrain

March 26, 2010Myofascial pain

tender or trigger points, referred pain, usually localized to one region

Counterstrain - The Seven Steps Find the Tender Points. Remember that they often cause pain in

distant locations.

Identifythe involved muscles.

stablish the Position of comfortfor each muscle in se!uence. "lso

called the Mobile Point, it is the very speci#c position of maximum

tissue relaxation. $he tenderness disappearsor diminishes in thisposition and the tissue becomes noticeably softer. Recognize the

mobile point by palpating to monitor tissue tension at the tender point,

but ta%e the pressure o& of it.

Fine Tune the position ' movement in any direction increases tissue

tension and tenderness.

Maintain the treatment position for (0 seconds.

SLOWLYmovethe patient bac% to a neutral position, %eeping your

#nger on the tender point.

Recheckthe tender point in neutral position )should be substantially

improved*.

+mprovement is usually present before the patient leaves the oce. -est to

chec% #ve minutes after completion, not immediately.

Head and Neckec% pain is very often musculos%eletal in nature.

/hen headaches are musculos%eletal in nature as ell they are not often

e&ectively treated ith pharmaceuticals. (0 involve the #rst three muscles

listed, others.

M345 57MM7 RFRR" 8"$$R4

Trapezius post. nec%, shoulder, suboccipital, retro'orbital, 9

temporal areas

Levator scapulae from mid'nec% to base of nec% and medial

superior 1:; of shoulder

Sternocleidoastoid forehead, ma* refer to post nec% 9 suboccipital areas

7/24/2019 Strain Counterstrain Handout March 26 2010

2/3

Scalenes upper bac%, upper chest, ipsilateral arm 9 hand

Seispinalis capitus

Splenius capitus post nec%, lateral head and temporal areas.

"4? $7 $R"$@

Tips for success"1. Move gently and sloly into and out of the position of treatment.2. Aold the treatment position no less than (0 seconds;. "nterior tender points are usually treated in Be. 8osterior tender points are usually treated in e

7/24/2019 Strain Counterstrain Handout March 26 2010

3/3

Ric% McKinney, MG 354F March 26,

2010