Day: December 31, 2016

As I am sure you’ve noticed, I’ve taken a hiatus from this blog for a few months.  Allow me to share with you the unexpected journey I’ve been on.

This past October, I happened to be standing in the perfect place to meet head-on with a large tree limb that was falling. The blow to my head from the hefty branch struck with such force that I broke through our deck railing and tumbled down a hill.  As I laid there seeing stars and feeling nauseated, I could feel my head swelling with each passing second.  Next, I felt a strong throbbing pain in my left hip.  Slowly I realized I was facing downward on the hill.  I tried to get up, but couldn’t get my body to cooperate.

Shortly thereafter, as I was resting with an ice pack on my head, I took a peek into a mirror to see the damage.  Wow, I was ready for Halloween early!  I looked like some distorted creature with a (hematoma) horn protruding from my forehead.

I was assessed with a moderate concussion.  Thankfully, a CT scan and X-Ray cervical spine views showed no active hemorrhage on my brain, just spasms in my neck (whiplash).  Meanwhile, my backside displayed every colour of the spectrum.  Feeling very out of sorts, I listened to wise counsel from a friend who kindly referred me to her instructor’s practice at Counterstrain Portland.  Two days after my misadventure I was able to secure an appointment with Tim Hodges in Portland, OR.

Not really knowing what to expect, but knowing my friend wouldn’t be wasting time on a useless class, I limped into Tim’s office.  From the get-go, I felt as though I was in good hands.  Tim has a demeanor that is affable and he explains very clearly to a patient everything he is doing.  His approach builds confidence and allows one to put their fears at rest.

As I laid on a table similar to one at my chiropractor’s, Tim used his hands to scan my cranium and assess the damage to my body. Immediately, he began treating the whiplash. I noticed that my neck pain was gone in mere minutes.  I was in awe, especially since my doctor and others led me to believe that whiplash was going to be my new, not-so-wanted friend for a while.  Since he saw me hobble into his office, Tim suggested he also treat my leg.  I am still amazed at how some releases and adjustments brought instant relief from some of my pain.  As my treatment time came to an end, I arose and was pleasantly surprised to be able to bear weight and walk. My friend and daughter were in shock when I walked towards them without a limp, and a huge smile on my face.  I was thrilled with this new gentle treatment called Counterstrain!

With each painless Counterstrain treatment, I have steadily progressed and improved in the areas injured by my untimely meeting with that tree limb. In addition, I have experienced another remarkable breakthrough.  To my absolute astonishment, after working on my left leg ligament in one treatment, I was able to finally bend my lower leg to line up with my good leg.  I do not want to bother you with too many details, but after five knee surgeries, and many painful physical therapy visits with no measurable results since I was a teenager, I had given up hope of ever making headway.  I simply accepted the pain and loss of range of motion.  To say I was thrilled, ecstatic, and over the moon, is an understatement.  Who knew we could address injuries that are decades old, and make improvements?!!

Being so thrilled with my healing journey, I referred other friends and each one has marveled at their own results.  One friend said her mom arrived home after a session and did jumping jacks that she previously couldn’t do! Another friend felt such improvement that she became emotional and wept.  To me, this therapy is how our bodies are meant to be worked on.  I feel empowered in learning and understanding how our bodies work, the dura aspect and more.  This therapy offers life-changing improvement and recovery.

I had never heard of Counterstrain therapy before my latest adventure and feel very blessed that I was introduced to it.  I chose to write about this therapy to offer encouragement and hope to others who have experienced setbacks with their health.  I will include a write-up below on both Counterstrain and Tim should anyone be interested.  I could continue to elaborate on the many ways Counterstrain has helped me and friends, but suffice it say – I’m a believer in it!  Bottom line here, keep an open mind, try new things and never give up hope!!

What is Counterstrain?

Counterstrain is a therapeutic, hands-on method, designed to release reflex protective spasm in all tissues of the human body. Every organ, nerve, artery, muscle, ligament, tendon, vein and lymphatic vessel in the human body can actively spasm and produce pain in a natural, protective response to injury. Once this reflex spasm is triggered it can persist, spread & form hundreds of diagnostic tender points. Counterstrain works to release the tissue in spasm and the corresponding tender point by gently unloading the injured structure.

To accomplish this release, Counterstrain uses gentle, passive body positioning that compresses and shortens the strained structure. By positioning the body against the strain or by applying a “counterstrain”, the structure quickly relaxes, thus reducing tension and immediately alleviating this primary source of pain. The elimination of this strain can be verified through range of motion testing, functional movement improvement and by re-checking the diagnostic point.

Timothy J. Hodges, LMT, JSCCI

Tim has worked in the field of physical rehabilitation since 1996. He has spent the last 16 years honing his skills in the application and development of Counterstrain and designing training programs renowned for producing highly skilled practitioners.

He started his private practice, now called Counterstrain Portland, in 2003. Now in its 13th year, Counterstrain Portland has grown to attract a global clientele. From professional athletes to chronic failed cases, Tim and his team have worked to relieve pain and help restore vitality to thousands of patients using the gentle Counterstrain technique.

He actively mentors healthcare practitioners at the Counterstrain Academy through the Counterstrain Mastery Program as well as teaching continuing education seminars for the Jones Institute. He is one of two instructors certified to teach the modern version of Counterstrain and has helped develop many of the techniques used today. He is also involved in the ongoing development of the 3D Counterstrain application.