What is Fascial Counterstrain?

If you’ve ever struggled with chronic pain, stiffness, or mysterious aches that just won’t go away, your body might be holding tension in places you wouldn’t expect—deep within your fascia. Fascial Counterstrain is a gentle, hands-on technique designed to relieve pain by targeting these hidden restrictions, reducing inflammation and restoring natural movement.

Fascial Counterstrain is a hands-on therapy that focuses on releasing tension within the body’s connective tissue system, known as fascia through draining inflammation. Fascia is a web-like structure that surrounds muscles, nerves, organs, and blood vessels, and when it becomes restricted through a complex series of events starting with an injury, it can lead to widespread pain and dysfunction. Unlike deep pressure techniques, Counterstrain works by identifying areas of strain and using gentle positioning to encourage the body to release tension naturally. This helps restore mobility, improve circulation, and reduce pain without force or discomfort.

During a session, I’ll assesses the body to find areas of tension. Once I identify a restriction, I place the body in a precise position that allows the tissue to release the contraction. This process is completely pain-free and works by calming overactive reflexes that contribute to tightness and dysfunction. Many people experience immediate relief, improved range of motion, and a deep sense of relaxation.

Because this work is performed on all tissues, including the nervous system, it can help reduce anxiety and activation through improving parasympathetic (rest and digest) activity while reducing sympathetic (fight or flight) activation.