Module 5: Counterstrain for the Nervous System – Part 1

In Modules 5 and 6, students will learn to master the assessment and treatment of the Nervous System. By necessity, this system has been broken up into two courses due to the vast number of techniques required to treat the entire nervous system. Module 5 will focus on the upper body as well as the Autonomic Nervous System, including the parasympathetic and sympathetic chain treatments in their entirety (both upper and lower body). The cranial scan for the Nervous System is one of the more complex scans within Counterstrain, in part because subsystems such as the Autonomic Nervous System and the Dura each have their own location. Extra emphasis will be placed on the mastery of the cranial scan, especially since treatment of the Autonomic Nervous System requires a precision in diagnosis above the level required when treating in other systems to avoid possible symptoms of organ failure, which can happen when treating out of sequence.

The labs in Module 5 continue to be broken down into smaller pieces than the 3-day immersion course taught through the Jones Institute, enabling students to spend more time practicing each technique. This, in addition to the expansion of the program to 40 hours and much smaller class sizes, provides a superior learning environment. Instructors are able to spend time mentoring each student, ensuring an appropriate level of competence with the technique in its entirety. As students of the Academy progress through each of the modules, their skill as Counterstrain practitioners continues to grow, as does their effectiveness in the treatment of complex dysfunctions, found in many of their patients.

All levels of Counterstrain practitioners are welcome, but you must have completed Modules 1 – 4 in addition to the Jones Institute’s Counterstrain for the Nervous System – Part 1.

• 40 Hours CE Units
• NCBTMB Board Certified
• Prerequisite: Jones FCS LV
• View Course Schedule

1. Students will demonstrate understanding and be able to restate, in their own words, the concepts and theory of neural dysfunction as it pertains to the and 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 nerves of the upper half (cranial nerves, cervical nerves, nerves of the brachial plexus, intercostal nerves, sympathetic nerves of the heart and lung, and parasympathetic nerves of the heart and lung.)
3. Students will demonstrate proper Counterstrain Cranial Scan and treatment sequencing for the upper half of the nervous system.
4. Students will palpate and identify all of the bony landmarks associated surface anatomy for the upper half of the nervous system.
5. Students will palpate and identify all of the regions associated with the Fascial Counterstrain Cranial Scan for the upper half of the nervous system.
6. Students will demonstrate the proper Counterstrain technique for the Fascial Counterstrain Cranial Scan for the upper half of the nervous system.
7. Students will palpate and identify all of the regions associated with the Dural Scan for the upper half of the nervous system.
8. Students will demonstrate the proper Counterstrain technique for the Dural Scan for the upper half of the nervous system.
9. Students will palpate and identify all of the tenderpoints associated with the following cranial nerves: abducens nerve, oculomotor nerve, olfactory nerve, optic nervie, glossopharyngeal nerve, trochlear nerve, vestibulocochlear nerve, hypoglossal nerve, spinal accessory nerve within the nervous system.
10. Students will demonstrate the proper Counterstrain technique for the following cranial nerves: abducens nerve, oculomotor nerve, olfactory nerve, optic nervie, glossopharyngeal nerve, trochlear nerve, vestibulocochlear nerve, hypoglossal nerve, spinal accessory nerve within the nervous system.
11. Students will palpate and identify all of the tenderpoints associated with the following facial nerves: temporal branches, sygomatic and mandibular branches, recurrent laryngeal nerve, trigeminal nerve, nerve to mylohyoid, nerve to tensor tympani, nerve to stapedius, and temporal nerves within the nervous system.
12. Students will demonstrate the proper Counterstrain technique for the following facial nerves: temporal branches, sygomatic and mandibular branches, recurrent laryngeal nerve, trigeminal nerve, nerve to mylohyoid, nerve to tensor tympani, nerve to stapedius, and temporal nerves within the nervous system.
13. Students will palpate and identify all of the tenderpoints associated with the branches of the upper half of the vagus nerve.
14. Students will demonstrate the proper Counterstrain technique for the branches of the upper half of the vagus nerve.
15. Students will palpate and identify all of the tenderpoints associated with the branches of the lower half of the vagus nerve.
16. Students will demonstrate the proper Counterstrain technique for the branches of the lower half of the vagus nerve.
17. Students will palpate and identify all of the tenderpoints associated with the sacral parasympathetics.
18. Students will demonstrate the proper Counterstrain technique for the sacral parasympathetics.
19. Students will palpate and identify all of the tenderpoints associated with the sympathetic chain and abdominal collateral ganglia within the sympathetic branch of the nervous system.
20. Students will demonstrate the proper Counterstrain technique for the sympathetic chain and abdominal collateral ganglia within the sympathetic branch of the nervous system.
21. Students will palpate and identify all of the tenderpoints associated with the upper sympathetic post ganglionics within the sympathetic branch of the nervous system.
22. Students will demonstrate the proper Counterstrain technique for the upper sympathetic post ganglionics within the sympathetic branch of the nervous system.
23. Students will palpate and identify all of the tenderpoints associated with the lower sympathetic post ganglionics within the sympathetic branch of the nervous system.
24. Students will demonstrate the proper Counterstrain technique for the lower sympathetic post ganglionics within the sympathetic branch of the nervous system.
25. Students will palpate and identify all of the tenderpoints associated with the gray rami communicantes within the sympathetic branch of the nervous system.
26. Students will demonstrate the proper Counterstrain technique for the gray rami communicantes within the sympathetic branch of the nervous system.
27. Students will palpate and identify all of the tenderpoints associated with the white rami communicantes within the sympathetic branch of the nervous system.
28. Students will demonstrate the proper Counterstrain technique for the white rami communicantes within within the sympathetic branch of the nervous system.
29. Students will palpate and identify all of the tenderpoints associated with the dorsal primary rami of the intercostal nerves within the upper half of the thoracic spine within the nervous system.
30. Students will demonstrate the proper Counterstrain technique for the dorsal primary rami of the intercostal nerves within the upper half of the thoracic spine within the nervous system.
31. Students will palpate and identify all of the tenderpoints associated with the cervical dorsal primary rami and gray rami communicantes of the nervous system.
32. Students will demonstrate the proper Counterstrain technique for the cervical dorsal primary rami and gray rami communicantes of the nervous system.
33. Students will palpate and identify all of the tenderpoints associated with the nerves of the proximal branches of the brachial plexus.
34. Students will demonstrate the proper Counterstrain technique for the nerves of the proximal branches of the brachial plexus.
35. Students will palpate and identify all of the tenderpoints associated with nerves of the distal branches of the brachial plexus and shoulder.
36. Students will demonstrate the proper Counterstrain technique for the nerves of the distal branches of the brachial plexus and shoulder.
37. Students will palpate and identify all of the tenderpoints associated with the nerves of the elbow, forearm wrist and hand.
38. Students will demonstrate the proper Counterstrain technique for the nerves of the elbow, forearm wrist and hand.