Strain-Counterstrain Takes Away Head and Neck Pain
Quick Pain Relief
Do you have a tender point in your neck muscle that you just cannot seem to get rid of? The point aggravates your headache but you cannot make it go away. Try the treatment of Strain-Counterstrain and you may see your problem tender point melt away in precisely 90 seconds.
How can you relieve a painful tender point in just 90 seconds? Indeed, the tender point in your neck muscle is still there after you tried to stretch and massage it to no avail. Actually, your muscle tenderness may arise from a nerve-muscle reflex that is resistant to these more direct treatments of stretch and massage. However, the gentle Strain-Counterstrain treatment can stop this perpetual muscle firing.
How Does Strain-Counterstrain Work?
Firstly, find your tender point, which is generally located within the muscle belly or tendon. Secondly, move your neck slowly in different directions until you feel the point relax under your fingertip. You have found the position of greatest comfort. This point of greatest comfort is called the “mobile point” by Dr. Lawrence Jones, who pioneered the Strain-Counterstrain treatment approach. Push on the same point again. You felt a point of sharp tenderness just seconds ago. As a result of finding the mobile point, you have decreased your muscle tenderness. The point now does not hurt.
Your third step is to hold your neck into this position of comfort for 90 seconds to allow the nerve-muscle connection to “reset.” As a result, your muscle now knows it should not be constantly in spasm. The abnormal tightening reaction shuts off. Finally, return the neck back into the position from which you originally found the tender point. You must return your neck very slowly to your starting point. I like to give a full minute to return to the starting position, but no exact time is proscribed. If you go too fast, your neck muscles may re-fire again. In that case, your original muscle spasm may return.
The Strain-Counterstrain approach puts the muscles and tendons on slack to shorten them. Imagine a rope pulled taut, with areas of strain and muscle knots appearing throughout its length. If the rope is placed on slack, it loses its tension. A muscle put on slack behaves the same way. When it loses its tension, and it no longer can grab tightly enough to hurt you. Think of this treatment as a “reverse stretch.” Stretching exercises can be very effective to relieve tender points within some muscles. However, at times the “reverse stretch” is a much better option for many stubborn tender points. These tender points are best released by “tricking” them into letting go.
Why Do I have these the Tender Points?
The tender points can spring up after a car accident, or some other stressful occurrence. Your muscles tighten up as a protective reaction to prevent excessive movement to stop your neck from being injured. The danger has passed but the protective reaction is now locked in place and will not let go. Your muscle spasms stay perpetually in spasm mode until something breaks the cycle. Sometimes your painful neck muscles think they are being injured again when you try to stretch or massage them. The muscles then tighten down to protect your neck and create tender points in the process.
What Area Do I Treat to Help My Headaches?
The suboccipital muscles are the “under the head” muscles. They are very possibly your main headache producer. They respond well to the Strain-Counterstrain approach. Look at the diagram by artist Patrick McRae, and you can see why these suboccipital muscles might be your biggest headache producer. You will need to proceed slowly to put the offending muscle or muscles on slack. These suboccipital muscles are some of the most tender in the entire body. This gentle Strain-Counterstrain method relaxes them gradually. Realize that your wicked headaches can be triggered by too much stretching or strengthening of the suboccipital muscles. Learn how to treat your neck and headache pain with this method!
Can I Use Counterstrain to Treat Other Areas of the Body Besides the Neck?
Absolutely! In conclusion, many areas of the body respond spectacularly to Strain-Counterstrain. I have found the Strain-Counterstrain seminars provided by the Jones Institute to be invaluable. You can benefit from many more advanced Strain-Counterstrain techniques. These advanced techniques require the assistance of a trained Strain-Counterstrain practitioner. Contact the Jones Institute for more information!
-You understand that if not done properly, some techniques and exercises described in this blog could harm you. Any activities you perform are at your own risk, and you expressly agree to waive any claims against the author for any harm that may arise from your own actions. By reading this blog and conducting these exercises, you accept this risk. This blog provides content related to physical and/or mental health issues. As such, your use of techniques described acts as your acceptance of this disclaimer. Consult Chapter 2 in my book, “Calming the Headache Storm” to make sure the headache is not the sign of a more serious problem. The techniques, advice and strategies contained in this blog may not be suitable for every individual and should be abandoned if your headache increases. Seek the advice of your physician.