What is Fascial Counterstrain?
Fascial Counterstrain (FCS) is a gentle, highly specialized manual therapy designed to identify and treat the root cause of pain and dysfunction.
Each session begins with a detailed assessment of the spine and cranial system to determine which areas of the body are contributing to symptoms. From there, precise, hands-on techniques are used to release tension within the fascia surrounding restricted or inhibited structures.
Appointments are typically 60 minutes, with 45-minute and 90-minute options available.
"My knee hurt so badly I had to stop skiing and riding my bike.
After one counterstrain appointment with Rachel, the pain is gone and I’m back to enjoying sports without thinking about my knee."
What Makes FCS Different?
FCS is an indirect, painless technique. Rather than forcing tissue to change, it works with the body’s natural protective reflexes in the fascia.
Fascia is a web-like connective tissue system that surrounds and supports muscles, organs, nerves, blood vessels, and bones. When the body experiences stress, injury, inflammation, or trauma, certain points within the fascia can become tender and neurologically “locked.”
Through gentle positioning and light pressure, FCS helps reset these reflex points. As they release, the fascia can return to a more balanced, functional state — allowing the body to move and heal more efficiently.
What Patients Often Notice
FCS addresses underlying dysfunction rather than just symptoms. Many patients report improvements such as:
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Reduced pain and muscle tension
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Improved sleep quality
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Better organ and digestive function
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Enhanced mobility
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Greater mental clarity and emotional stability
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Increased strength and performance, shorter recovery
A Layered Approach to Healing
While we typically do not need to repeat the exact same correction, each session builds upon the last. As surface restrictions resolve, we are able to access and treat deeper layers of dysfunction.
This progressive approach supports lasting, meaningful change — not temporary relief.
Treatable Conditions Using Counterstrain
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Back Pain
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Neck Pain
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Chronic edema
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Digestive dysfunctions
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Neuropathy
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Endocrine dysfunction
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Migraine and non-migraine headaches
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Visual disturbances
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Tachycardia
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CRPS
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Peripheral Arterial Disease
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Balance Disorders
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Tinnitus
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Sports injuries
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Depression/Anxiety
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Impaired Immune System
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Fibromyalgia and other systemic conditions
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Acute AND Chronic pain
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Most musculoskeletal conditions in any region
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Fatigue
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Hormone Imbalance
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Sleep disorders
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Head injuries
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Pre/Post-op conditions
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Adjunct to dental work
Research
Catch up on the latest in Fascial Counterstrain Research!
Brian Tuckey published this article to answer the question “What exactly is being released during FCS treatments and how does this explain the technique’s effectiveness and widespread application?”
The paper offers an updated theoretical mechanism for the development and maintenance of chronic pain states as well as a scientific rationale for idiopathic visceral and vascular dysfunction (e.g., post-concussion or irritable bowel syndrome).
This article by Brian Tuckey details FCS’s evolution from classic Strain–Counterstrain into a multi-system, non-force manipulation technique, with the potential to impact all the body’s nociceptive (pain generating) tissues.
It provides a detailed description of the diagnostic and treatment procedures used in FCS and offers an accessible overview of its proposed physiological mechanisms, diagnostic framework, and treatment processes.
This article reports a proof-of-concept randomized study in which three FCS treatments directed at the sympathetic nervous system produced a rapid, statistically significant reduction in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptom severity when compared with waitlist control.
Additional improvements in depression, quality of life and somatic pain symptoms were also observed in the treatment group. Dr. Harmon assisted Dr. Christy on this project.
Learn More!
