Counterstrain is primarily used to treat which type of points?

Counterstrain is primarily used to treat which type of points?

• A. Trigger points.
• B. Tender points.
• C. Both.
• D. Neither.

Answer: (B)

Counterstrain focuses on tender points. The method works by placing the body in a position of ease to relieve the localized tenderness and hypertonicity at these points, which are small, discrete sites that elicit sharp pain when pressed but don’t typically produce the widespread radiating pain associated with trigger points. By reducing muscle spindle activity and nociceptive input at the tender point, the surrounding muscle relaxes and normal length-tension relationships are restored, helping to resolve the dysfunction. Trigger points, in contrast, are treated with different techniques such as ischemic compression or spray-and-stretch, and involve taut bands within muscle that refer pain.

Counterstrain focuses on tender points. The method works by placing the body in a position of ease to relieve the localized tenderness and hypertonicity at these points, which are small, discrete sites that elicit sharp pain when pressed but don’t typically produce the widespread radiating pain associated with trigger points. By reducing muscle spindle activity and nociceptive input at the tender point, the surrounding muscle relaxes and normal length-tension relationships are restored, helping to resolve the dysfunction. Trigger points, in contrast, are treated with different techniques such as ischemic compression or spray-and-stretch, and involve taut bands within muscle that refer pain.