Strain/Counterstrain (SCS) is a gentle soft tissue manipulation technique developed by Dr. Lawrence Jones D.O. over 40 years. This revolutionary technique, which is effective in treating pain, limitations in strength, and range of motion, allows therapists to painlessly “release” muscle and connective tissue spasms from all areas and systems of the human body.
Because Strain/Counterstrain yields lasting results and has no side effects, it has numerous applications in the rehabilitative setting. If you are looking for strain/counterstrain in Tewksbury, MA, our therapists are here to help.
What is SCS?
SCS, originally called the “positional release technique”, was developed in 1955 by an osteopathic physician named Lawrence Jones. Strain/Counterstrain is a manual therapy technique, meaning the clinician only uses his hands to treat muscle and joint pain and dysfunction. In observing a skilled Strain/ Counterstrain practitioner you will immediately be impressed with how gentle and non-traumatic this technique is for treating the painful patient. A clinician is quickly able to assess the entire body for areas of pain and dysfunction. Strain/Counterstrain uses passive body positioning of muscles in spasm and dysfunctional joints toward positions of comfort or tissue ease that compresses or shortens the offending structures. The purpose of movement toward shortening is to relax aberrant reflexes that produce the muscle spasm forcing immediate reduction of tone to normal levels. This allows the joints influenced by the now relaxed muscle to function optimally increasing its range of motion and easing muscle pain. Strain/Counterstrain is an effective but extremely gentle technique because its action for treatment moves the patient’s body away from the painful, restrictive directions of motion.
Who can benefit from Strain/Counterstrain?
It can be used for very acute traumas (i.e., sports injuries, motor vehicle accidents, ankle sprains, post-surgical, etc.) to the more chronic (i.e., osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, TMJ pain, headaches, etc.). Its value with the acute patient is unmatched because it is so gentle and non-traumatic. The clinician is guided by what feels good to the patient and often dramatic changes are made in decreased pain, muscle guarding, and swelling. These changes facilitate the patient’s healing processes for a faster and more complete recovery. The gentleness of strain and counterstrain makes it safe and effective for treating fragile patients (i.e., infants with torticollis, elderly patients with osteoporosis, stress fractures, pregnancy or pelvic pain patients, postoperative pain, etc.) and the pain associated with excessive joint motion or hypermobility. Strain/Counterstrain are valuable for the chronic pain patient because it will treat a longstanding neuromuscular problem by reducing the tone of a muscle in spasm. By diminishing the spasm, muscle pain is abated and joint function is normalized.
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