Strain-Counterstrain Positional Release Techniques for Painful Muscle Tension and Trigger Points
Live Event

Strain-Counterstrain Positional Release Techniques for Painful Muscle Tension and Trigger Points

Thu, Apr 10th, 2025
6:30pm – 8:30pm US Eastern Time
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About the Event

This is a live interactive webinar on Strain-Counterstrain and Positional Release Therapy (PRT), techniques that have been shown to be highly effective for reducing painful trigger points (TPs) and chronic musculoskeletal (MSK) pain. Did you know that between 20-33% of people around the world suffer from MSK pain, with low back, neck, knee, and shoulder pain being the most prevalent conditions? Unfortunately, the rising costs of medical treatment have led to overuse of imaging studies, dangerous opioid drugs, and surgery, resulting in time lost from work and a diminished quality of life.

You will discover how gentle positioning techniques, based on the Strain-Counterstrain principles developed by Dr. Lawrence Jones, DO, can help you identify and address chronic MSK pain associated with TPs. By exploring the neurophysiological reflexes that modulate muscle tension and using those reflexes to release tension and pain with little effort, you can reduce painful TPs and improve mobility and function. Best of all, the techniques you'll learn can often alleviate pain in less than two minutes.

You will learn specific positional releases and reflexes that modulate muscle tension, allowing you to rapidly relieve painful TPs and tension. By the end of this webinar, you will be able to integrate PRT into your plan of care, delighting your clients with your newfound expertise while saving your hands in the process. So, let's get started and explore the world of PRT together!

Live Event
This live online event will be held as a Zoom Webinar. Attendees will have the option to interact through features such as the Chat and Q&A, but cameras and microphones will not be enabled.

Live Event Instructor

Theresa Schmidt

Theresa Schmidt

Dr. Theresa Schmidt PT, DPT, OCS, LMT, CEAS of Educise.com is an Orthopedic Certified Specialist PT, Expert Consultant, educator, massage therapist, hypnotherapist and author in private practice at Educise PC Health & Wellness in NH. She is a Clinical Specialist in the Pain program at New Hampshire VA. She received her DPT at UNE., served as faculty in PT and massage programs and presented for International Fascia Research Congress, APTA, AMTA, AOTA, NASA, Johns Hopkins, and Cleveland Clinics. She focuses on hands-on natural solutions to pain and mobility problems integrating manual therapy, precision exercise, functional training and alternative medicine approaches. Her engaging seminars inspire clinicians with practical tools they can apply immediately for measurable results clients rave about.

Target Audience

This live interactive webinar is intended for Physical Therapists, Physical Therapy Assistants, Occupational Therapists, Occupational Therapy Assistants, Chiropractors, and Massage Therapists. (PT, PTA, OT, COTA, DC, LMT)

Learning Objectives

After taking this activity, you should be able to:

  1. 1 Discuss the etiology and assessment of myofascial trigger points.
  2. 2 Identify trigger points (TPs) and areas of abnormal musculoskeletal tension to document their effect on mobility and function.
  3. 3 Evaluate the neurophysiological basis and evidence-based research for positional release technique (PRT)/ Strain-counterstrain (SCS).
  4. 4 Apply at least 2 specific positioning interventions to rapidly reduce the painful sensitivity of TPs, release abnormal neuromuscular tension and improve functional mobility.

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Aly, M. F., Youssef, A. M., Sabor, A., & Nadim, A. A. A. (2017). Effect of Myofascial Trigger Point Release on Pelvic Pain in Pudendal Nerve Entrapment: A Single Blind Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Pharmaceutical and Phytopharmacological Research, 7(1), 22-25.

Amini, A., Goljaryan, S., Shakouri, S. K., & Mohammadimajd, E. (2017). The Effects of Manual Passive Muscle Shortening and Positional Release Therapy on Latent Myofascial Trigger Points of the Upper Trapezius: A Double-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial. Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal, 19(9).

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Collins, C. K. (2007). Physical therapy management of complex regional pain syndrome I in a 14-year-old patient using strain counterstrain: a case report. Journal of Manual & Manipulative Therapy, 15(1), 25-41.

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Hanten, W. P., Olson, S. L., Butts, N. L., & Nowicki, A. L. (2000). Effectiveness of a home program of ischemic pressure followed by sustained stretch for treatment of myofascial trigger points. Physical Therapy, 80(10), 997-1003. https://doi.org/10.1093/ptj/80.10.997

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Hong, C. Z., & Simons, D. G. (1998). Pathophysiologic and electrophysiologic mechanisms of myofascial trigger points. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 79(7), 863-872. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0003-9993(98)90167-6

Hou, C. R., Tsai, L. C., Cheng, K. F., Chung, K. C., & Hong, C. Z. (2002). Immediate effects of various physical therapeutic modalities on cervical myofascial pain and trigger-point sensitivity. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 83(10), 1406-1414. https://doi.org/10.1053/apmr.2002.35473

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Hsieh, C. Y. J., Hong, C. Z., Adams, A. H., Platt, K. J., Danielson, C. D., Hoehler, F. K., & Tobis, J. S. (2000). Interexaminer reliability of the palpation of trigger points in the trunk and lower limb muscles. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 81(3), 258-264. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0003-9993(00)90213-0

Ibáñez-García, J., Alburquerque-Sendín, F., Rodríguez-Blanco, C., Girao, D., Atienza-Meseguer, A., Planella-Abella, S., & Fernández-de-las Peñas, C. (2009). Changes in masseter muscle trigger points following strain-counterstrain or neuro-muscular technique. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 13(1), 2-10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2007.12.002

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Kojidi, M. M., Okhovatian, F., Rahimi, A., Baghban, A. A., & Azimi, H. (2016). The influence of Positional Release Therapy on the myofascial trigger points of the upper trapezius muscle in computer users. Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies, 20(4), 767-773. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbmt.2016.03.002

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Course Creator

Theresa A. Schmidt, PT, DPT, MS, OCS, LMT, CEAS – None to report.

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Event Agenda

Agenda times are listed in US Eastern Time. That is 3 hours later than US Pacific Time. The event starts at 3:30pm US Pacific Time.

6:30 - 6:40 pm: Introduction and overview of the session
6:40 - 7:00 pm: History of strain counterstrain/positional release, description, theory of neuromuscular reflex function, and evidence-basis for positional release (PRT).
7:00 - 7:30 pm: Identification and assessment of trigger points (TPs) and their relationship to neuromuscular reflexes, abnormal tension and pain. Documentation of TPs.
7:30 - 8:00 pm: Discussion and demonstration of specific positioning interventions to reduce painful TPs to release abnormal tension and improve function and pain.
8:00 - 8:20 pm: Case studies and practical examples of how to use positioning interventions for TP release. Research discussion of evidence for the positive outcomes of positional release.
8:20 - 8:30 pm: Wrap-up and final Q&A.

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