Fascial Counterstrain
Multi-System Clinical Assessment: FCS utilizes the Cranial Scan, a precise diagnostic assessment tool that identifies reflexive rigidity within the deep fascia of the vascular, visceral, neural, and musculoskeletal systems.
Neuromodulation of Nocifensive Reflexes: The treatment achieves immediate deactivation of fascial nociceptors and mechanoreceptors, effectively resetting the persistent protective guarding and "vasospasm" cycles responsible for chronic pain.
Resolution of Interstitial Inflammatory Stasis (IIS): By mechanically unloading compressed lymphatic and venous structures, FCS reactivates the lymphatic pump mechanism, facilitating the clearance of entrapped pro-inflammatory cytokines and metabolic waste.
Neuro-Fascial Decompression: FCS targets the epineurium and perineurium (the connective tissue of the nerves) to alleviate chronic neuro-inflammation and restore normal neural gliding and axoplasmic flow.
Autonomic and Vagal Regulation: The system provides a direct pathway for autonomic regulation by specifically addressing the fascial inflammation surrounding the sympathetic chain and vagus nerve pathways, supporting a shift from a "fight-or-flight" state to systemic homeostasis.
Indirect Manipulative Methodology: Utilizing a pain-free, indirect approach, FCS slackens or "unloads" injured structures, allowing the central nervous system to downregulate protective tone without triggering further nociceptive input.
Physiological Resolution and Carry-Over: Because the intervention targets the primary physiological drivers—reflexive guarding and inflammatory stasis—it provides long-term carry-over that often exceeds the results of traditional musculoskeletal therapies.A Paradigm Shift in manual medicine
Tuckey B, Srbely J, Rigney G, Vythilingam M and Shah J (2021) Impaired Lymphatic Drainage and Interstitial Inflammatory Stasis in Chronic Musculoskeletal and Idiopathic Pain Syndromes: Exploring a Novel Mechanism. Front. Pain Res. 2:691740. doi: 10.3389/fpain.2021.691740
Tuckey B, Fascial Counterstrain: A methodological advancement in indirect osteopathic manipulation, International Journal of Osteopathic Medicine, Volume 58, 2025, 100789, ISSN 1746-0689, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijosm.2025.100789.
Holly Christy, Brian Tuckey, Nirnaya Miljacic, Nayak Polissar, Meena Vythilingam, Rapid Reduction in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptom Severity after Three Fascial Counterstrain Manual Treatments: A Proof-of-Concept Study, Military Medicine, 2025;, usaf408, https://doi.org/10.1093/milmed/usaf408