Module 2: Counterstrain for the Visceral System is the natural next step following the introductory Module 1: Counterstrain and the Cranial Scan of the Mastery Program. While the primary goal in Mod 1 is to master the feel of the entire cranial scan, Mod 2 goals are primarily concerned with mastering individual visceral techniques and to begin integrating the cranial scan in each and every session. By integrating the scan in every lab and not just focusing on the visceral system, but all systems, the scanning process becomes an extension of the practitioner and their skill set.

Visceral System labs are broken into much smaller pieces as compared to the 3-day immersion course taught through the Jones Institute. This and the expansion of the program to 40 hours allows us to make a critical shift in how we teach Counterstrain. In the Academy Mastery Program, the instructional emphasis shifts from introducing general concepts of visceral treatment techniques to ensuring and verifying that students are truly able to achieve successful releases of all visceral tender points, subsystems (pleura, upper GI, Urogenital, etc.) of the viscera, and entire regions.

We continue to maintain a heavy emphasis on the student’s ability to follow the cranial scan. This continues throughout the entire program and is never limited to one system, but includes all systems. Through constant focus on the primary diagnostic method, students of the academy not only get superior instruction in the individual techniques, they also become masters at the art of cranial scanning. This inevitably translates into superior performance in the clinical application of Counterstrain, as students of the academy not only learn to speak the language of the body, but attain unparalleled fluency. 

All levels of Counterstrain practitioners are welcome, but you must have completed Module 1 – Counterstrain and the Cranial Scan and the Jones Institute’s FCS VC.

Learning Outcomes for Module 2: Counterstrain for the Visceral System:

1. Students will demonstrate understanding and be able to restate, in their own words, the concepts and theory of visceral dysfunction as it pertains to the Counterstrain method of manual therapy.

2. Students will demonstrate the proper steps required to use Counterstrain to release reflex protective spasm and extinguish tender points for the visceral system.

3. Students will demonstrate proper cranial scan and treatment sequencing for the visceral system. (2 Hours)

4. Students will palpate and identify all of the bony landmarks associated with ribcage surface anatomy for the visceral system. (1.5 Hours)

6. Students will demonstrate the proper Counterstrain technique for the Counterstrain Cranial Scan for the visceral system.

7. Students will palpate and identify all of the tenderpoints associated with the cardiopulmonary region within the visceral system.

8. Students will demonstrate the proper Counterstrain technique for the cardiopulmonary region within the visceral system.

9. Students will palpate and identify all of the tenderpoints associated with the upper abdominal cavity within the visceral system.

10. Students will demonstrate the proper Counterstrain technique for the upper abdominal cavity within the visceral system.

11. Students will palpate and identify all of the tenderpoints associated with the middle abdominal cavity within the visceral system.

12. Students will demonstrate the proper Counterstrain technique for the middle abdominal cavity within the visceral system.

13. Students will palpate and identify all of the tenderpoints associated with the lower abdominal cavity within the visceral system.

14. Students will demonstrate the proper Counterstrain technique for the lower abdominal cavity within the visceral system.

15. Students will palpate and identify all of the tenderpoints associated the urogenital region within the visceral system. 

16. Students will demonstrate the proper Counterstrain technique for the urogenital region within the visceral system.

17. Students will palpate and identify all of the tenderpoints associated the valves and sphincters within the visceral system.

18. Students will demonstrate the proper Counterstrain technique for the valves and sphincters within the visceral system.

19. Students will palpate and identify all of the tenderpoints associated with the upper-visceral arteries within the viscero-arterial system.

20. Students will demonstrate the proper Counterstrain technique for the upper-visceral arteries within the viscero-arterial system.

21. Students will palpate and identify all of the tenderpoints associated with the upper-visceral arteries within the viscero-arterial system.

22. Students will demonstrate the proper Counterstrain technique for the lower-visceral arteries within the visceral system.

23. Students will palpate and identify all of the tenderpoints associated with the urogenital arteries within the viscero-arterial system.

24. Students will demonstrate the proper Counterstrain technique for the urogenital arteries within the viscero-arterial system.

25. Students will palpate and identify all of the tenderpoints associated with the for the vagus nerve within the parasympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system.

26. Students will demonstrate the proper Counterstrain technique for the vagus nerve within the parasympathetic branch of the autonomic nervous system.

27. Students will palpate and identify all of the tenderpoints associated with the viscero-lymphatic system within the lymphatic system.

28. Students will demonstrate the proper Counterstrain technique for the viscero-lymphatic system within the lymphatic system.