Irvine's Only Strain and Counterstrain Certified Specialist

What is Strain and Counterstrain?

Strain and Counterstrain, originally called "positional release technique" was developed in the 1955 by an osteopathic physician named Lawrence Jones.

How Does it Work?

Strain and Counterstrain is a hands-on technique, meaning the clinician uses only their hands, to treat muscle pain and limited movement. The clinician uses passive positioning of spasmed muscles and limited joints to shorten and release the painful tension, and moves in the directions that "feel good" for the patient. Shortening of the painful muscles theoretically causes a decrease in abnormal nerve reflexes thereby releasing the spasm and resulting in immediate pain relief.

Who is Strain and Counterstrain Appropriate For?

Strain and Counterstrain is a very gentle technique that can be used on just about any patient regardless of the severity or type of the injury. It is helpful with a number of patients and conditions such as:

• Infants with torticollis,
• Elderly patients with osteoporosis,
• Stress fractures,
• Pregnancy or pelvic pain patients,
• Postoperative pain,
• Many more.

Wassiem Abdelmalek, PT is a certified Strain and Counterstrain Clinician

Mr. Abdelmalek was certified by the Jones Institute in 2008. His continuing education required that he attend over 80 hours of training for certification and been using the Strain and Counterstrain techniques successfully with a number of various musculoskeletal diagnoses.