Rib counterstrain
Page created: March 04, 2021
Rib counterstrain
OMM
OMM
Biomechanics: Muscle contractions
Components of the osteopathic structural examination
Fryette laws
Trigger points
Diagnostic skills
Introduction to muscle energy
Introduction to counterstrain
Introduction to facilitated positional release
Introduction to myofascial release
Introduction to high velocity low amplitude (HVLA)
Diagnosing cervical somatic dysfunction
Spurling test
Cervical muscle energy treatment
Cervical spine counterstrain
Cervical spine HVLA
Still technique for the cervical spine
Cervical spine facilitated positional release
Cervical spine myofascial release
Other cervical spine treatments
Diagnosing thoracic spine somatic dysfunction
Thoracic muscle energy treatment
Thoracic spine counterstrain
Thoracic spine HVLA
Still technique for the thoracic spine
Thoracic spine facilitated positional release
Thoracic spine myofascial release
Other thoracic spine treatments
Diagnosing lumbar spine somatic dysfunction
Lumbar muscle energy treatment
Lumbar spine counterstrain
Lumbar spine HVLA
Still technique for the lumbar spine
Lumbar spine facilitated positional release
Lumbar spine myofascial release
Other lumbar spine treatments
Diagnosing sacral somatic dysfunction
Sacrum muscle energy treatment
Sacrum counterstrain
Sacrum myofascial release
Diagnosing pelvis somatic dysfunction
Pelvis muscle energy treatment
Pelvis counterstrain
Other pelvis treatments
Diagnosing lower limb somatic dysfunction
Special tests for the lower limb
Lower limb muscle energy treatment
Lower limb counterstrain
Lower limb HVLA
Lower limb myofascial release
Other lower limb treatments
Diagnosing upper limb somatic dysfunction
Special tests for the upper limb
Upper limb muscle energy treatment
Upper limb counterstrain
Upper limb HVLA
Upper limb myofascial release
Other upper limb treatments
Diagnosing rib somatic dysfunction
Muscle energy for rib somatic dysfunction
Rib counterstrain
Rib HVLA
Other rib treatments
Viscerosomatics and facilitation
General visceral techniques
Chapman points
Primary respiratory mechanism
Cranial osteopathy: Cranial nerves
Diagnosing cranial somatic dysfunction
Cranial treatments
Treatment of the lymphatics
Notes
Ribs
Rib counterstrain
ANTERIOR RIBS (AR) | ||||
| TENDER POINT | ANATOMICAL POSITION | TREATMENT POSITION | ||
| AR1 | Inferior to clavicle on 1st chondrosternal articulation | Supine Flex, side bend toward, rotate toward (F STRT) | ||
| AR2 | Superior aspect of 2nd rib in mid-clavicular line | Supine Flex, side bend toward, rotate toward (F STRT) | ||
| AR3–AR10 | Anterior axillary line on corresponding rib | Seated Flex, side bend toward, rotate toward (F STRT) | ||
Figure 1. Locations of the anterior ribs' counterstrain tender points.
POSTERIOR RIBS (PR) | ||||
| TENDER POINT | ANATOMICAL POSITION | TREATMENT POSITION | ||
| PR1 | Superior aspect of 1st rib lateral to costotransverse articulation | Seated Extend, side bend away, rotate toward (E SART) | ||
| PR2–PR10 | Superior aspect of corresponding rib angle | Seated Flex, side bend away, rotate away (F SARA) | ||
Figure 2. Locations of the posterior ribs' counterstrain tender points.
Author: Arman Israelyan, OMS-III
Editor: Matt Lipinski, DO
Illustrator: Aileen Lin, MScBMC
Editor: Robyn Hughes, MScBMC
Key Takeaways
Rib counterstrain is a technique used in osteopathic medicine to relieve pain and discomfort in the rib cage area. It is based on the principle of positional release therapy, which involves finding a position that relieves pain by releasing muscle tension or strain. It is considered a safe and effective treatment for rib-related pain, but it should be performed by a trained practitioner.