I’m seeing good results from fascial counterstrain therapy

Note: This column describes the author’s experiences with fascial counterstrain (FCS). Not everyone will have the same response to treatment.

I’ve been trying a new type of physical therapy called fascial counterstrain (FCS).

Before I started it, I’d been struggling with the after-effects of a fall from my horse that led to a badly broken rib and connective tissue problems related to Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS). While traditional physical therapy helped, I had reached a plateau. I was feeling somewhat better, but was still unable to do many things I enjoy, such as riding my horse, or even just waking up in the morning without feeling nauseous, as the injuries were irritating my vagus nerve.

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A new treatment

UnityPoint Health explains FCS like this: “Every organ, nerve, artery, muscle, ligament, tendon, vein and lymphatic vessel in the body can actively spasm and produce pain as a natural, protective response to injury, strain, or inflammation. [FCS] works to release the tissue in spasm and the corresponding tender point by gently unloading the injured structure.”

Considering that those of us with EDS frequently contend with injury, pain, and inflammation, it made sense to me that a technique designed to tackle those problems would help me. I’ve now had four sessions, and I’m going to try to explain how it feels, even though it’s not easy to put it into words.

What amazed me from the beginning was how my FCS therapist, simply by feeling areas around my skull — how they moved or didn’t — could pinpoint problem areas all over my body. This step, called a cranial scan, is how every session starts and is used to check on progress.

From there, the therapist will decide which area to work on first. Sometimes this involves moving my body into a certain position to release any pressure. Other techniques use gentle manual pressure or manipulation to achieve the same result. The process is virtually painless, even when the therapist is working on a sore area, which is surprising. It’s one of the most passive treatments I’ve ever experienced.

It also surprises me how much the therapist can tell just from the cranial scan. For example, a few weeks ago, I was out walking and noticed pain on the top of my foot near the joint of my big toe. I ignored it and didn’t think to mention it at my next appointment, but after the scan, the therapist put one hand on a spot on my spine and the other on the exact spot on top of my foot that had been hurting. When I asked why he did this, he said the point on my foot is connected to a point on my spine that was irritated. Since he released it, I haven’t felt any pain in that part of my foot. I was astounded.

My limbs will sometimes feel warm or a little tingly for a few moments after restricted blood flow from inflammation is resolved, and this happened after the therapist released the point in my spine that was causing pain in my foot. It’s an unusual feeling, but not unpleasant, and, for me at least, it passes quickly. My anxiety is very mixed up with my pain level, and I can also feel myself relaxing and my stress level decreasing throughout my sessions. I have definitely noticed that my anxiety is lower since starting FCS.

FCS is one of the most unusual yet beneficial therapies I’ve ever had for EDS. It’s opened up a new way of managing chronic pain and anxiety, and it’s also allowing me to make progress toward regaining my physical strength. Perhaps best of all, I rarely feel nauseous since FCS has calmed my vagus nerve. It’s definitely going to remain a part of my regular EDS management routine.

Note: Ehlers-Danlos News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Ehlers-Danlos News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Ehlers-Danlos.