Discover Fascial Counterstrain Therapy Benefits
Fascial counterstrain, sometimes know as fascial strain counterstrain, is a therapeutic technique used in osteopathic medicine and physical therapy. It aims to release tension in the fascia—the connective tissue surrounding muscles, organs, and other structures in the body—through gentle manipulation and stretching. The technique involves identifying tender points associated with specific fascial structures and applying precise, gentle pressure to these points in directions that provide relief and relaxation to the affected areas. This approach helps to decrease pain and improve mobility by relieving the strain and dysfunction within the fascia. The method is often used to treat a wide range of musculoskeletal and systemic conditions.
There has been physical therapy models for around 60 years, and Brian Tuckey, my teacher, was the first to recognize that what we treat is not actually a muscle but the connective tissue of the body. “The Fascia”
How I Found Fascial Counterstrain:
After reading a book from Tony Robbins called Lifeforce, there was pain management technique he mentioned called Fascial Counterstrain. Tony mentioned it was light touch and highly effective with pain related issues by draining the inflammation from the corresponding fascia of the body you are treating. This is the gold standard of Fascial work out there. After reading the book my wife found a lady named Migraine Mama and Ben Greenfield on youtube that were taking about how Fascial Counterstrain can help Migraines and many other pain related isssues.
Classes I’ve Taken:
Fascial Counterstrain (Foundations F1)
Fascial Counterstrain (Visceral System)
Fascial Counterstrainn ( MSK-C) Musculoskeletal System: Cartilage and Superficial Fascia
Studying - Fascial Counterstrain (Arterial System)
Studying - Fascial Counterstrain (Lymphatic System)
What Can each System Help:
Visceral System:
Chronic Pain From Cervical/Thoracic Junction to Sacroiliac Junction, and Shoulder Pain/ Dysfuction
Idiopathic Abdominal Pain
Urogenital Dysfunction
Pelvic Pain Syndromes
Volvulus (Intestinal Torsion)
Sciatica and Limited Straight Leg Raise
Pulmonary Disease (Asthma, COPD, Chronic Bronchitis)
Head Pressure/ Brain Fog/ Snoring/ Sleep Apnea
Digestive Dysfunction of All Types ( Food Sensitivities, Reflux/Gerd, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Ulcerative Colitis, Constipation, Crohn’s)
Diabetes, Atherosclerosis, Metabolic Syndrome, Global Inflammation
Arterial System:
Muscular Pain in all Regions of the Body
Burning Pain
Tendonitis
Chest Wall Pain
Light-Headedness, Vertigo
Psuedo-Radiculopathies
Tachycardia
Digestive Dysfunction, Constipation
PAD
Pelvic Floor, TMJ Pain, Hip/Groin Pain
Degenerative Joints
Lymphatic System:
Musculoskeletal Pain
Bursitis
Edema
Headaches/ Neck Pain
Nerve Symptoms/ Radiculopathy
Sinusitis/ Ear Pressure/ Tinnitus
Vertigo
IBS/ IBD
Fatigue/ CFS/ Impaired Immune System
Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy
MSK-C System:
TMJ and TMD
Central Sensitization
Eustachian tube symptoms; Vestibular dysfunction, one sided Tinnitus, Ear fullness, Ear pain, Auditory distortions
Disc Herniations
Shoulder Labrum dysfunction
Hip Labrum dysfunction
Meniscus dysfunction or tear
Trigger finger
What Causes Fascial Dysfunction?
Trauma
Surgery
Postural Strain (Tissue Hypoxia)
Over Use/ Repetitive Strain
Structural Strain (Leg Length Discrepancy, Pronation etc.)
Inflammatory Disease (Lyme, Chron’s etc.)
Fibromyalgia/ Food Sensitivities
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Fascial Counterstrain?
Fascial Counterstrain is a gentle, hands-on technique that targets the fascia - the connective tissue surrounding muscles, organs, and other structures in the body. By applying light, precise pressure to specific tender points, it helps release tension and drain inflammation from the fascia, reducing pain and improving mobility.
How is it different from regular massage?
Unlike deep tissue work, Fascial Counterstrain uses very light touch. Rather than working the muscle directly, it targets the connective tissue itself- identifying tender points and applying gentle pressure in specific directions to relieve strain.
Does it hurt?
No. It’s a light-touch technique, which is part of what makes it so effective for sensitive conditions like migraines, where deeper work could make symptoms worse rather than better.
What conditions can it help with?
Fascial Counterstrain is used for a wide range of musculoskeletal and systemic conditions, including chronic pain and migraines.
Is Fascial Counterstrain available in the Detroit Metro area?
Yes. Berkley Acupuncture in Bloomfield Hills, MI is one of the few practices in the Detroit Metro area offering Fascial Counterstrain. We serve patients from Bloomfield Hills, Birmingham, Berkley, Royal Oak, Beverly Hills, Troy, and the greater Detroit area.