OMS II Lab 9: Counterstrain Lab

Objectives: y To understand the basic mechanisms of counterstrain techniques y To understand the indications and contraindications along with safety in the use of counterstrain y To learn to treat rib dysfunction with counterstrain y To learn to treat along the spine, including cervical, thoracic, and lumber vertebra, with counterstrain y To review case scenarios in which counterstrain is an effective treatment Technique Inion Counterstrain to Anterior Cervical Counterstrain to Posterior Cervical Counterstrain to Anterior Thoracic Counterstrain to Posterior Thoracic Counterstrain to Anterior Lumbar Counterstrain to Posterior Lumbar Iliacus dysfunction Ischiorectal Fossa Release Anterior rib (1 & 2), exhaled and depressed Anterior rib (3-6), exhaled and depressed Posterior rib (1), inhaled and elevated Posterior rib (2-6), inhaled and elevated Reference Nicholas & Nicholas pg. 142 Nicholas & Nicholas pg. 134 Nicholas & Nicholas pg. 141 Nicholas & Nicholas pg. 146 Nicholas & Nicholas pg. 152 Nicholas & Nicholas pg. 165 Nicholas & Nicholas pg. 170 Nicholas & Nicholas pg. 175 Nicholas & Nicholas pg. 445 Nicholas & Nicholas pg. 160 Nicholas & Nicholas pg. 161 Nicholas & Nicholas pg. 163 Nicholas & Nicholas pg. 164 DVD Track

For lab testing purposes, all spinal segments are fair gameboth anterior and posterior. Lab exam questions will test the efficacy of your treatment on actual tenderpoints (which can be achieved by simply taking the tissues to a position of ease), but written and board exams expect you to memorize the setup for each particular segment. Look closely at the acronym portion of each table listed in Nicholas & Nicholas to note which segments do not share the SARA (sidebend away rotate away) setup. That should give you a huge head start in committing them to memory.

Proposed Mechanism of Counterstrain: Release of the muscle spindle fibers (gamma efferent system) Indications: y Acute or chronic somatic dysfunctions y Somatic dysfunctions related to a neural component y Can be used in conjuction with other treatment modalities Contraindications: y Absolute: absence of somatic dysfunction; lack of patient cooperation y Relative: patient who cannot completely relax; severely ill patients; known vertebral artery disease; severe osteoporosis Efficacy: y Avoid the following: positions that do not relieve the pain; positions that create pain, discomfort or panic; hyperextension y Monitor closely: osteoporotic patients while treating the thoracolumbar spine; use caution while treating the cervical spine of patients with rheumatoid arthritis or others with ligamentous instability