I’m seeing good results from fascial counterstrain therapy
After 4 sessions, I'm experiencing relief from chronic pain, anxiety
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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.
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.
CHristie Hanchey
When I was being measured for a wheelchair, someone brought up my Fascia and I went down a rabbit hole. I have support groups and a podcast all about this. There is no one in my state that is qualified to work on me without causing a flare. It is so important to interview the individual. I go to Maryland to see the creators of Fascial counterstrain. It’s a six hour trip that I can’t afford, but I so desperately need. It’s as if you are pushing the pain out of your body. I research all non-invasive fascia modalities, and this is one of my favorite modalities. My tailbone was put back in place after 47 years two years ago and my ribs were manipulated back in place. All done with my clothes on no tools. I was totally shocked. The only way I have gotten my abilities to walk and talk back is by working on my fascia. Awesome story! I would love to interview you and share this on the podcast if interested.
TJ Lemuria
I’m certain that this knowledge regarding fascia release techniques is a huge breakthrough in helping EDS. I recently learned of it from a healer friend studying with Human Garage folks. They have a website you can visit, as I am not involved with them in any way, I’ve only begun exploring studying the fascia release methods as the philosophy runs so deep it aligns with with I am calling into my life, as well as having a friend who found a teacher in her city she is now studying with life-changing results.
And now after reading this article, the next wave of healing technique is upon us.
So I write, inspired to share this with you, as I believe in learning personal applications to self-empower as an ‘option’ to sessions with a skilled provider, as both have a place, it gives us choice. Especially if we can learn movement techniques to incorporate into our personal daily practice or a go to remedy during an acute episode, this is a valuable key to self-care, maintenance, crisis management and overall improvement in quality of life.
As this is my initial research phase, I did a google inquiry:
“are human garage fascia techniques similar to fascial strain and counter strain”
and here is the response:
Human Garage fascia maneuvers are a self-care method designed to release tension, trauma, and stress by focusing on the body's connective tissue, often utilizing techniques remarkably similar to Strain and Counterstrain (SCS) and Fascial Counterstrain (FCS).
WFLA
WFLA
+4
Like Strain/Counterstrain, which reduces pain by placing the body in a position of ease to shorten affected muscles, Human Garage techniques use "pin and lock"—a form of holding or compressing a tender point while rotating the body—to release deep-seated restrictions.
SoulAdvisor
SoulAdvisor
+2
Here is how the Human Garage fascia technique compares to traditional strain and fascial counterstrain:
1. Similarities to Strain and Counterstrain (SCS)
Position of Ease: Both methods involve finding a position of "ease" or comfort to unwind tension rather than forcing a stretch. Human Garage uses "counter-rotation" and twisting movements to bring the body into a relaxed state, mimicking the positioning used in SCS to unlock tender points.
Unwinding Tension: Both techniques are designed to break the pain-spasm cycle.
Slow Movement: Human Garage emphasizes slow, intentional movements, similar to the passive, gentle positioning in Counterstrain, to avoid triggering defense mechanisms.
SoulAdvisor
SoulAdvisor
+4
2. Similarities to Fascial Counterstrain (FCS)
Targeting Fascia: While traditional SCS focuses on muscular tender points, FCS—and Human Garage—target the connective tissue wrapping around muscles, nerves, and organs.
"Pin and Lock" Technique: Human Garage specifically uses a "pin and lock" technique—gripping the skin and applying pressure while rotating—which is analogous to the "pinning" techniques used to release cranial and structural fascia in FCS.
Addressing Autonomic Dysfunction: Human Garage maneuvers often target the belly/digestive area to unravel the iliocecal valve and intestines, which aligns with the FCS approach to treating visceral (organ) restrictions and autonomic nervous system dysfunction.
3. Key Differences
Self-Care vs. Professional Practice: Traditional Strain Counterstrain is a passive technique performed by a practitioner on a patient. Human Garage is designed as an active self-care, "do-it-yourself" method.
Breathing and Sound: Human Garage incorporates specific breathing patterns (inhaling through the nose, "sipping" air, pursed lips) and movement (swiveling, squatting) to create internal pressure (a "hyperbaric-like effect") to drive the release.
Emotional Release: Human Garage specifically emphasizes "unwinding" emotional trauma, with some practitioners observing "processing emotions" or emotional releases during sessions.
Human Garage
Human Garage
+6
Common Human Garage Techniques (Maneuvers)
Totally Twisted: A movement involving a spinal pelvic lock, cross-legged stance, hugging the body, and rotating while breathing to release deep tension.
Rotational Swirl: A "counter-rotation" technique applied to the stomach, which "wrings" the fascia to reduce bloating and digestive issues, similar to relieving vascular or visceral restrictions.
Pallet Swipe: Using the thumb or tongue to target the fascia on the roof of the mouth, which connects to the deep fascia lines.
In summary, Human Garage acts as a simplified, self-applied version of fascial counterstrain, utilizing positional release, counter-rotation, and breathing to achieve similar results of reducing chronic pain and dysfunction.