About Fascial Counterstrain

Fascial Counterstrain (FCS) is an innovative soft tissue manipulation system developed by Brian Tuckey, PT, OCS, who trained under the renowned osteopathic physician Lawrence Jones, D.O. FCS represents an expanded and refined version of Jones’s original Strain and Counterstrain technique, designed to identify and correct dysfunction across all major body systems, including the musculoskeletal, vascular, visceral, and nervous systems. Tuckey’s innovations have increased the number of documented Counterstrain techniques from approximately 200 in the Jones era to more than 1,200 today.​

This gentle, non-force, multi-system approach is unique among manual therapy methods in its ability to address both peripheral and central nervous system dysfunction. Consequently, FCS may be applied in the treatment of neuroinflammatory and complex systemic conditions such as cognitive impairment (brain fog), chronic fatigue syndrome, dysautonomia, tremors, seizure disorders, widespread chronic pain syndrome, dystonia, traumatic brain injury, post-concussion syndrome, autoimmune disorders, and non-genetic neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s disease. Conditions Treated

Fascial Counterstrain (FCS) employs a precise, hands-on diagnostic process to identify areas of “trapped inflammation” between our cells which can reflexively alter muscle tone, vascular function, and pain sensitivity. Trapped inflammation may develop in response to many types of stressors, including acute or repetitive trauma, surgery, postural strain, overuse injuries (work or sports), immune responses to infections or viruses, chronic psychological stress, and pro-inflammatory diets. This type of dysfunction can contribute to a wide spectrum of persistent conditions including musculoskeletal pain, chronic edema, chronic fatigue, digestive disturbances, neuropathies, migraine and non-migraine headaches, tachycardia, peripheral arterial disease, balance disorders, tinnitus, and systemic conditions like fibromyalgia and mast cell activation syndrome. For peer-reviewed studies supporting the concept of “trapped inflammation” behind chronic disease and/or the use of FCS in the treatment of multiple chronic conditions, please visit FCS research.