Strain and 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 a therapist to painlessly “release” muscle and connective tissue spasms from all areas and systems of the human body.
Because Strain and Counterstrain yield lasting results and have no side effects it has numerous applications in the rehabilitative setting.
What is SCS?
Strain and 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. SCS 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 and 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 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. SCS is valuable for the chronic pain patient because it will treat out a longstanding neuromuscular problem reducing the tone of a muscle in spasm. By diminishing the spasm, muscle pain is abated and joint function is normalized.
For more information on Strain/Counterstrain and to see if you are a good candidate, contact our physical therapists at ARC Physical Therapy for an appointment in Westmont, IL.
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