Strain-Counterstrain (SCS) — Jones Technique

Presentation

The Strain-Counterstrain technique was accidentally discovered in 1955 by Dr. Lawrence Jones, an American osteopath, while treating a patient with disabling low back pain. Observing that a rest position maintained for 90 seconds eliminated palpation pain, Jones developed a mapping of over 200 tender points associated with specific relief positions.

Creator: Dr. Lawrence Jones, D.O. (1955), published 1981

Core Principles

SCS is based on the hypothesis of an inappropriate reflex loop between neuromuscular spindles: during a strain, a muscle spindle remains in excessive afferent activity (reflex spasm). By placing the tissue in a shortening position (counterstrain) for 90 seconds, the practitioner interrupts this reflex loop and normalizes spindle tone, painlessly for the patient.

Main Indications

• Chronic low back and thoracic pain
• Refractory neck pain
• Fibromyalgia (numerous tender points)
• Regional pain syndromes
• Post-traumatic sequelae (falls, accidents)
• Vulnerable patients who cannot tolerate direct manipulation
• Acute post-surgical pain

Session Overview

The osteopath locates tender points by palpation (exquisitely tender points, often the size of a coin). Initial pain is rated out of 10. The practitioner slowly positions the body to reduce pain to 3/10 or less (position of comfort). This position is held for 90 seconds (120 seconds for cranial tender points). Return to neutral is very slow to avoid re-triggering the reflex. Reassessment confirms disappearance or reduction of the tender point.

Contraindications

• Very few absolute contraindications (extremely gentle technique)
• Caution with severe joint instability during positioning
• Extreme central sensitization (some fibromyalgia patients)