Questions?

Here are the answers to frequently asked questions, such as:

- What is the difference between massage and bodywork?

- What is Fascial Counterstrain?

-Which service is right for me?

- How long should I wait between sessions?

Massage vs. Bodywork

Massage vs. Bodywork: What’s the Difference —

and What Do I Offer?

You’ve probably heard the terms massage and bodywork used together, but they’re not exactly the same—and that difference matters, especially when it comes to the kind of results you're looking for.

Massage is what most people are familiar with: relaxing, therapeutic touch that targets muscles to relieve tension, improve circulation, and help you de-stress. Think Swedish or deep tissue—more general techniques that feel great and help your body unwind.

Bodywork, on the other hand, goes deeper (literally and figuratively). It includes techniques designed to address the root cause of pain or dysfunction—not just the symptoms.

These are bodywork modalities I use in my practice:

Fascial Counterstrain: A gentle but powerful method that works with the nervous system to release tension in fascia, muscles, even organs. It helps your body naturally reset and heal.
Trigger Point Therapy: Focused pressure on "knots" (trigger points) to relieve referred pain and restore function to the muscle.
Myofascial Release: A slow, sustained technique that helps loosen restrictions in connective tissue (fascia), improving mobility and reducing pain.

These approaches may feel different from a typical spa massage—they’re more targeted, sometimes more subtle, but always guided by what your body needs.

The goal? Long-term relief, improved function, and better alignment—not just a quick fix.

If you’ve tried massage before but still feel like something’s “stuck,” bodywork might be exactly what your body has been asking for.

Fascial Counterstrain

"Fascial Counterstrain (FCS) is a therapeutic, hands-on method, designed to release 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 tender points. FCS works to release the tissue in spasm and the corresponding tender point by gently unloading the injured structure.

Gentle body positioning and compression or shortening of the strained structure works to effect a therapeutic release. 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 is quickly verified by simply checking the point, which is frequently no longer tender." - Counterstrain.com

Fascial Counterstrain (FCS) is a hands-on, indirect osteopathic technique designed to relieve pain and dysfunction by addressing reflexive muscle guarding and fascial dysfunction. It is based on the work of Lawrence Jones, DO, and has been further refined to target the body's deep fascial systems.

Mechanism of Action

Protective Reflex Reset: FCS identifies tender, reflexive points in fascia, which represent areas of excessive tension due to past injury, inflammation, or stress.
Positional Release: The practitioner places the body or specific structure in a position of ease to shorten the involved tissues, allowing a neurologic "reset" that decreases pain and restores function.
Autonomic Influence: FCS works through the body's deep fascial network, influencing the autonomic nervous system and reducing sympathetic overdrive, which contributes to chronic pain and dysfunction.

Key Applications

Musculoskeletal Dysfunction: Addresses conditions like back pain, joint restrictions, and postural imbalances.
Visceral & Lymphatic Influence: Can improve organ mobility and fluid dynamics, aiding conditions such as digestive disorders and swelling.
Neural & Vascular Systems: Helps restore mobility and circulation by releasing tension in nerve and blood vessel fascia.

Clinical Benefits

Non-invasive and gentle, making it suitable for acute and chronic conditions.
Provides immediate symptom relief and long-term functional improvements.
Enhances recovery by improving tissue mobility and neuromuscular coordination.

Want to know what to Expect During a Fascial Counterstrain Session?

Check out our Blog page for more FCS information!

Want to experience these amazing results for yourself? Book an appointment now to consult with our FCS professional to design a customized plan for you!

Which Service?

If you're looking for regular, relaxing maintenance, a regular therapeutic massage program is probably what you are looking for!

See improvements in your skin, hydration, circulation, mood, and pain with a regular massage program.

If you are looking to make progress on chronic pain or discomfort, want to increase joint mobility and range of motion, or are suffering from idiopathic conditions and have not found answers, Corrective Bodywork can help!

For pain or chronic conditions that we work on together with the goal of reducing or resolving, Bodywork will be our best option at accomplishing this.

How Often?

Timing between treatment sessions is really a personal decision. Generally speaking though, your body will tell you when you're ready for more work, and conversely, if it's too soon to get more work.

Both massage and bodywork are best in that sweet spot where you're still feeling good after your last session, and before you start feeling like you need another session.

Bodywork may come with some soreness or body-confusion, particularly after deep work. It is best if your body can resolve any soreness and feel reconnected and strong before having another session.