Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Examination (COMLEX USA) Practice

Counterstrain technique is characterized as:

1. Direct only

2. Indirect only

3. Both direct and indirect

4. Neither direct nor indirect

The correct answer is: Both direct and indirect

Counterstrain technique is primarily characterized as an indirect treatment method. In this technique, the practitioner gently positions the patient’s body in a way that reduces muscle tension and alleviates pain, allowing the body to naturally heal itself. By placing the affected muscle or tissue in a position of comfort, the technique enables a relaxation response without forcing the body through the usual painful range of motion, which is a hallmark of indirect techniques. While it is important to note that certain aspects of osteopathic manipulative treatment may incorporate direct techniques, the essence of counterstrain specifically emphasizes this indirect approach to promote healing. Thus, defining counterstrain as characterized only by indirect methods showcases its distinct methodology in focusing on easing the discomfort and facilitating recovery. The recognition of counterstrain as effectively indirect also explains why it is contrasted with direct techniques, which typically involve positioning the body in opposition to the restrictive barrier, thereby causing strain rather than alleviating it. In this context, viewing counterstrain as a method that ideally involves both forms does not align, as the key principles guiding the technique distinctly favor the indirect approach to treatment.