Clinical Application of Counterstrain

Question 1

What CS techniques could you use to treat acute lower back pain? What is the associated anatomy?

Answer 1

Psoas: psoas major, genitofemoral nerve

Iliacus: iliacus

AL2: Lat fem cu nerve

PL5-UP: multifidus, iliolumbar ligament

PL5-LP: sacroiliac ligament, erector spinae

Piriformis: piriformis, sciatic nerve

QL: quadratus lumborum, subcostal nerve, iliohypogastric nerve, ilioinguinal nerve

Question 2

What CS techniques could you use for a suboccipital headache? What is the associated anatomy?

Answer 2

PC1 (inion): trapezius, semispinalis, rectus capitis posterior minor

PC1 (occiput): splenius capitis, obliqus capitis superioris, rectus capitis posterior major

PC2 (occiput): semispinalis, trapezius, rectus capitis posterior major/minor

PC3 (midline): trapezius, semispinalis, greater occipital nerve, 3rd occipital nerve

Question 3

What CS techniques could you use for acute neck pain? What is the associated anatomy?

Answer 3

AC4: longus colli, longus capitus, anterior scalene

AC7: clavicular head of SCM

AC8: sternal head of SCM

Question 4

What CS techniques could you use for upper-mid back/periscapular pain? What is the associated anatomy?

Answer 4

PT4-9 (SP or TP): trapezius, latissimus dorsi, erector spinae, spinotransversalis, transversospinalis