About
How does Counterstrain work?
Learn what Counterstrain is and how it can heal painful, persistent conditions
and restore your body back to its most optimal state.
Counterstrain is an osteopathic manual medicine technique that removes painful and reflexive restriction and spasms from the body by draining trapped inflammation from small intracellular spaces called interstitium. Chemical irritation of pain receptors and mechanoreceptors from chronic inflammation keeps your body in a persistent guarded or over-protective state. It’s only when that interstitial inflammation is removed and those pain receptors are deactivated that relief can occur. These powerful effects are often immediate and highly encouraging— they’re what our patients refer to as the “magic” of Counterstain.
During your treatment, a licensed Counterstrain practitioner will gently position your body and manipulate your tissue into directions of ease or comfort. Counterstrain utilizes diagnostic tender points that correlate to specific anatomical structures in your body. When dysfunctional, these structures become inefficient at doing their job. The goal of each Counterstrain treatment is to eliminate the tender point and restore normal function of the anatomy in order to facilitate optimal function and healing.
Because of its pain-free nature, Counterstrain is a fantastic option for even the most severe diagnoses–the ones some clinicians deem “untreatable.” The reality is, many patients with chronic conditions experience lasting relief after just a few treatments. Whether your symptoms are a result of mechanical trauma, emotional trauma, surgery, repetitive motion, toxicities, infections or viruses, or other inflammatory conditions, Counterstrain can help. In fact, it’s often the only thing that will.
Treatable conditions
Meet the Counterstrain San Diego team
Our clinical staff is proud to bring vast knowledge and expertise to the table,
providing gentle, effective techniques to every patient in need.
Kyle Kusunose, PT, DPT, JSCC | Counterstrain Therapist
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.
Mark Vennerholm CMT | Counterstrain Therapist
Mark graduated from the International College of Holistic Studies (ICOHS) as a Certified Massage Therapist and also has a degree in Aviation: Professional Pilot from Oklahoma State University. Mark received Counterstrain treatments from Dr. Kyle Kusunose and Dr. Holly Christy (Poulsbo, WA) while serving in the U.S. Navy and was blown away by the outstanding results that Counterstrain had among other treatments he had tried. After spending six years in the Navy, he felt the calling to change career paths and become a Counterstrain Specialist so he could help others find pain relief the same way that he had. Mark likes to run trails, work out, and spend time with his wife, Reanna, and two dogs.
Marissa Kusunose, PT, DPT, NCPT | Counterstrain Therapist | Certified Pilates Instructor
Marissa received her Bachelor’s from University of California Irvine and Doctorate in Physical Therapy from University of Miami. She completed her Pilates Rehabilitation training through Polestar Pilates and became nationally certified through the Pilates Method Alliance. Marissa lends her expertise as a Pregnancy and Postpartum Corrective Exercise Specialist to the perinatal population, a special passion of hers since welcoming her two children. She has additional training in Pilates adaptations for clients with scoliosis and neurological diseases. Marissa utilizes Counterstrain as her primary manual modality and believes it is the most effective tool for restoring her patients ability to move. In her free time, Marissa enjoys hiking, exercising, and spending time with her family and friends.
Mary Haas, PT, DPT | Counterstrain Therapist | Pelvic Floor Specialist
Mary received her Bachelor’s degree in Community Health Sciences with an emphasis in Kinesiology from the University of Nevada, Reno, and her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from San Diego State University. Mary also earned her Level 1 Pelvic Floor Certification through the Herman & Wallace Pelvic Rehabilitation Institute and takes pride in incorporating Counterstrain into Pelvic Floor rehabilitation to help her patients reach their functional goals. When not in clinic, Mary enjoys backpacking, traveling, and spending time with her husband, Chris, and Australian Shepherd, Willett.