The Counterstrain Movement

Counterstrain Applications and Triumphs in Pediatric Care with Dr. Lory Yeh

Physical therapist and acupuncturist, Lory Yeh, joins us to explore the powerful, gentle impact of Counterstrain therapy—especially when applied to pediatric care. Lory shares her personal journey into integrative healing and offers compelling case studies that illustrate how early intervention can resolve deep-rooted dysfunction before it becomes chronic. Together, they delve into the nervous system’s incredible plasticity in children, the emotional-physical health connection, and how Counterstrain can harmonize the body’s “orchestra” of systems. Subtle, holistic approaches can lead to profound outcomes for young patients—and that it’s never too early to support a child’s health. Key Takeaways: * Counterstrain is a gentle, non-invasive, and highly effective therapy. * Early treatment in children can mitigate long-term dysfunction. * The body operates like an orchestra—health depends on systemic harmony. * Children’s nervous systems respond quickly to therapeutic input, which is rewarding for patient, parents, and provider. * Counterstrain can address both physical symptoms and support emotional regulation. * Case studies highlight dramatic improvements in response to Counterstrain treatment with kids. * Small shifts in the body can yield big changes in longterm development and well-being. * Holistic care in pediatrics supports better long-term health outcomes. Guest Bio: Dr. Lory Yeh Dr. Lory Yeh obtained her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree at University of Southern California in 2009. After finishing at USC, she realized that physical therapy alone could not address many of her client's issues. Dr. Yeh received her Master’s degree in Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine in 2012. Combining acupuncture and physical therapy bridged the gap between eastern and western treatments paradigms, but there were still patient cases that reached a roadblock. It was incorporating Counterstrain that added power to the treatments. Lory now practices full time at her clinic, InBalance AcuPT, in the Los Angeles area, providing a combo of Counterstrain plus acupuncture to help patients quickly return to a balanced lifestyle. Get in Touch with Lory: * Find her at her clinic [https://www.inbalanceacupt.com/staff.html] * Read more real case studies about real people [https://www.fasciacasestudies.com/] The Bridge Back Project * Support the Bridge Back Project Today: Donate Here [https://www.bridgeback.org/donations] * Our Website [https://www.bridgeback.org/] * Our Youtube Channel [https://www.youtube.com/@BridgeBackProject] * Our Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/bridgebackproject/] * Our Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/bridgebackproject/] Find a Fascial Counterstrain Practitioner Near You: * 3rd Party Practitioner Directory [https://counterstrain.com/clinics/] Credits: Host: Theora Moench Editor: Haley Diaz Executive Producer: Bridge Back Project Music: bensound.com “New Frontier” - License code: PUUI20THRCM9CSDQ

Chronic Pain, Counterstrain, and Self-Advocacy: Living with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome with Amelia Patrick

In this heartfelt and insightful conversation, we sit down with Amelia, a 23-year-old recent college graduate navigating life with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS). Diagnosed during college after years of mysterious pain and debilitating stiffness, Amelia shares how her health journey transformed after discovering Counterstrain therapy—a gentle, fascia-based treatment that gave her meaningful relief and restored some of her mobility. Amelia opens up about the realities of living with chronic pain, the emotional and mental toll of a misunderstood condition, and the importance of listening to her body. She offers reflections on hydration, movement, and consistent care as essential elements of her wellness routine, and emphasizes the life-changing value of having a knowledgeable, supportive healthcare provider—someone who acts not just as a clinician, but as a thought partner in navigating chronic illness. Amelia also touches on broader themes relevant to many people with invisible disabilities: the need for empathy, accommodations, and social understanding. From using a cane for balance to managing energy levels, Amelia's story sheds light on the daily decisions and self-advocacy required to live fully with EDS. She describes the broader mental and emotional impact of living with EDS and talks about the invisible workload that comes with chronic conditions, the importance of supportive relationships, and the need to communicate needs clearly—both in healthcare settings and personal life. Whether you're living with a chronic condition, supporting someone who is, or are a healthcare provider seeking to better understand your patients, this episode offers insight, encouragement, and practical wisdom for anyone managing chronic illness. Guest Bio: Amelia Patrick Amelia Patrick is a recent graduate from Sarah Lawrence College. She studied visual arts, writing, and phenomenological anthropology. She spends her free time listening to music and talking about dreams (the kind you have when you sleep). Get in Touch with Amelia: * Email her at ameliakkpatrick(at)gmail(dot)com The Bridge Back Project * Support the Bridge Back Project Today: Donate Here [https://www.bridgeback.org/donations] * Our Website [https://www.bridgeback.org/] * Our Youtube Channel [https://www.youtube.com/@BridgeBackProject] * Our Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/bridgebackproject/] * Our Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/bridgebackproject/] Find a Fascial Counterstrain Practitioner Near You: * 3rd Party Practitioner Directory [https://counterstrain.com/clinics/] Credits: Host: Theora Moench Editor: Haley Diaz Executive Producer: Bridge Back Project Music: bensound.com “New Frontier” - License code: PUUI20THRCM9CSDQ

Counterstrain for Injury Prevention, Recovery, and Performance Enhancement for Professional Dancers with Dr. Miho Urisaka

Dr. Miho Urisaka is a physical therapist living in New York who has been practicing Counterstrain since 2014, with a special focus on dancers. In this conversation, she shares how she employs Fascial Counterstrain not only to resolve injuries but also to enhance performance and prevent future issues for professional dancers. Drawing on her clinical experience, Dr. Urisaka highlights case studies of dancers recovering from knee injuries and concussions, emphasizing how the body self-protects—often through restriction and pain—and explains why addressing root causes, rather than just downstream symptoms, is essential, especially for highly trained movers. She discusses how treating the bones and periosteum is a unique aspect of Counterstrain that benefits professional athletes, particularly dancers. People whose careers require precise attunement to and mastery of their bodies—like dancers—often arrive with fewer compensatory patterns and heightened self-awareness, making them especially responsive to this form of treatment. Dr. Urisaka also underscores the limitations of conventional imaging in detecting interstitial inflammation and the importance of working directly with the body’s mechanics to uncover hidden, yet very real, dysfunctions. She explains how Counterstrain can improve not only range of motion but, more importantly, quality of motion, and how optimizing tissue mobility can lead to noticeable strength gains and flexibility within just a few weeks—once tissues are given the reset they need to drain inflammation, release guarding, and restore function. Whether you're a dancer, athlete, or someone living with chronic pain or reduced mobility, this episode offers a compelling look at how Fascial Counterstrain can be a game-changing tool for recovery, prevention, and performance enhancement. Guest Bio: Dr. Miho Urisaka, PT, DPT, OCS Dr. Miho Urisaka, PT, DPT, OCS is a board-certified orthopedic physical therapist and owner of Orthopedic Movement Physical Therapy in New York. With a background in treating Broadway performers and professional dancers—as well as personal experience in gymnastics, karate, and ballroom dance—she brings deep insight into the physical demands of movement-based professions. Miho discovered Counterstrain as a transformative tool not just for injury recovery, but for supporting full-body health, from sleep and digestion to brain function. She now lives in upstate New York, where she integrates her clinical practice with a passion for sustainable living, nutrition, and holistic health. Get in Touch with Dr. Miho Urisaka: * Visit or contact her clinic in New York [https://www.omptny.com/] * Check out her clinic Orthopedic Movement Physical Therapy New York on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/omptny/] * Follow her on instagram [https://www.instagram.com/dr.miho.dpt/] * Check out more real case studies of real patients [https://www.fasciacasestudies.com]  The Bridge Back Project * Support the Bridge Back Project Today: Donate Here [https://www.bridgeback.org/donations] * Our Website [https://www.bridgeback.org/] * Our Youtube Channel [https://www.youtube.com/@BridgeBackProject] * Our Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/bridgebackproject/] * Our Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/bridgebackproject/] Find a Fascial Counterstrain Practitioner Near You: * 3rd Party Practitioner Directory [https://counterstrain.com/clinics/] Credits: Host: Theora Moench Editor: Haley Diaz Executive Producer: Bridge Back Project Music: bensound.com “New Frontier” - License code: PUUI20THRCM9CSDQ

Counterstrain: Building a Career of Lasting Impact with Kyle Kusunose

Kyle Kusunose, physical therapist and Director of the Jones Institute, talks about the transformative potential of Counterstrain therapy in both patient care and practitioner development. For providers who are driven by curiosity, who want to experience renewing passion in their work, becoming a Counterstrain practitioner could be the key to lifelong love of work. Effective manual therapists thrive on continual learning and progress. And if that's you, you're in the right place! Kyle explains that Fascial Counterstrain is a powerful and forgiving technique that consistently delivers results—especially for patients with complex, chronic, or idiopathic conditions. Fascial Counterstrain not only addresses physical dysfunction but also helps restore a sense of hope and clarity for patients struggling to make sense of their symptoms. Kyle stresses the Jones Institute’s commitment to sustainable growth and to teaching a curriculum that deepens practitioners’ understanding of the human body far beyond traditional programs. He believes education is one of the most valuable investments a therapist can make. As more therapists recognize how Fascial Counterstrain can elevate patient outcomes and redefine the future of manual therapy, he hopes that the Jones Institute can have an exponential impact on healthcare. Guest Bio: Kyle Kusenose, PT, DPT, JSCCI, CSC1 Kyle received his Bachelor’s in Kinesiology from San Diego State University and Doctorate in Physical Therapy from The University of Miami. After witnessing the powerful effects of Counterstrain on his patients, he immediately opened a private practice, eager to bring the technique to as many people as possible. Kyle currently lends his expertise in Counterstrain, gross anatomy, and neuroscience to physical therapy programs at both alma maters; and to The Jones Institute as a certified instructor, institute director, and co-founder of the anatomy dissection curriculum. In his free time, Kyle enjoys traveling, surfing, and spending time with his family. Get in Touch: - Contact his clinic Counterstrain San Diego [https://www.counterstrainsd.com/] The Bridge Back Project * Support the Bridge Back Project Today: Donate Here [https://www.bridgeback.org/donations] * Our Website [https://www.bridgeback.org/] * Our Youtube Channel [https://www.youtube.com/@BridgeBackProject] * Our Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/bridgebackproject/] * Our Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/bridgebackproject/] Find a Fascial Counterstrain Practitioner Near You: * 3rd Party Practitioner Directory [https://counterstrain.com/clinics/] Credits: Host: Theora Moench Editor: Haley Diaz Executive Producer: Bridge Back Project Music: bensound.com “New Frontier” - License code: PUUI20THRCM9CSDQ

Coaching, Concussions, and the Power of Counterstrain with Amy Griffin

In this episode, Amy Griffin—former U.S. National Team player, veteran coach, and current head of the U.S. Deaf Women’s National Team—shares how her personal experiences with injury and recovery led her to Counterstrain therapy, a modality that ultimately reshaped her approach to healing, coaching, and health advocacy. She delves into the complexity of the body’s ability to compensate for injury and the often-overlooked role of sleep, memory, and mental health in the recovery process. Amy reflects on her initial skepticism toward Fascial Counterstrain, and how her first-hand experience changed her perspective. She emphasizes the importance of listening—to patients, to athletes, and to the signals our bodies send us—and describes how quality of life, not just symptom management, should be the goal of any recovery approach. Together, Theora and Amy explore how modern stressors differ from those of the past, and why a holistic view of health is necessary in today’s high-pressure athletic environments. They discuss the lasting impact of concussions, the value of preventive care in sports, and the need to reimagine athlete support systems with long-term health in mind. Amy also offers insight into her advocacy for natural playing fields, and her deep concern for the health risks posed by artificial turf, especially for kids. Throughout the episode, Amy’s passion for player safety, healing, and whole-person care shines through. Her story is a testament to the body’s capacity to heal, the power of Counterstrain, and the vital role of community support in navigating life after injury. Guest Bio: Amy Griffin Amy Griffin is a longtime soccer coach and former U.S. National Team player. A key member of the squad that won the inaugural FIFA Women’s World Cup in 1991, she brings decades of experience both on the field and on the sidelines. Today, she serves as the head coach of the U.S. Women’s Deaf National Soccer Team, where she continues to lead with passion, skill, and a deep commitment to inclusive excellence in the sport. Get in Touch with Amy: * Or to add a name to Amy’s List, email amygriff65 (at) gmail (dot) com Resources: * Seattle Reign Academy [https://www.reignacademy.com/] * Amy On Wikipedia [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amy_Griffin] * Artificial Turf Concerns: * Does playing soccer on artificial turf increase cancer risk, especially in kids? [https://www.kuow.org/stories/does-playing-soccer-on-artificial-turf-increase-cancer-risk-especially-in-kids] * Amy Griffin: Amy’s List and Toxic Turf [https://peer.org/amy-griffin-amys-list-and-toxic-turf-2/] The Bridge Back Project * Support the Bridge Back Project Today: Donate Here [https://www.bridgeback.org/donations] * Our Website [https://www.bridgeback.org/] * Our Youtube Channel [https://www.youtube.com/@BridgeBackProject] * Our Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/bridgebackproject/] * Our Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/bridgebackproject/] Find a Fascial Counterstrain Practitioner Near You: * 3rd Party Practitioner Directory [https://counterstrain.com/clinics/] Credits: Host: Theora Moench Editor: Haley Diaz Executive Producer: Bridge Back Project Music: bensound.com “New Frontier” - License code: PUUI20THRCM9CSDQ