Counterstrain is a manual therapy technique in which the practitioner releases abnormal tension in the connective tissue or fascia surrounding various structures in the body.

When the tension is released the body is able to return to its natural state. Joints open up, good posture is easier, and muscles are much easier to activate. It is a very gentle technique with the capacity to achieve very powerful results in a surprising number of areas, including chronic pain, global inflammatory conditions and post-concussive conditions.

Ann has extensive experience in modifying workplace environments such that they support good alignment of the spine and reduce stress on the body as a whole. Small changes in a office set-up can make a big difference over the course of a work day.
Proper body mechanics for multiple activities can provide immediate pain relief to a low back patient and shorten the recovery time after an acute episode or a flare-up.

Exercise needs to be carefully targeted to the individual. Often people come in doing exercises that are recommended for their diagnosis or what they think is their diagnosis that are, in fact, aggravating to their bodies. When appropriate, Ann instructs patients in mobilizing, strengthening or stabilizing, and what she calls “normalizing”.