JI-Logo-Half-SizeJI-Logo-Half-SizeJI-Logo-Half-SizeJI-Logo-Half-Size
  • Counterstrain
    • What is Counterstrain
    • Media Resources
  • Courses
    • Curricula
    • Course Schedule
  • Patients
  • Current Students
    • Student Portal Login
    • Learning Center Login
  • New Students
✕

Athletic Trainer? Larry Ham Has Your Playbook

June 18, 2021
Categories
  • Career
  • Community
Tags

Larry Ham, MSPT, ATC, JSCCI, is used to being called a miracle worker. A retired physical therapist and volunteer certified athletic trainer with over 30 years experience, he’s treated every injury you could think of from common sprains to chronic visceral dysfunctions manifesting as sciatica, cervical pain, even IBS. But what Larry does extends beyond the physical. With every palpation, he provides his patients something they don’t always get from a typical session: opportunity. 

Fresh out of PT school, Larry was already well versed in various therapeutic interventions, operating a private practice in his home state of Washington. However, it wasn’t until he met Dr. Lawrence Jones, the originator of Strain Counterstrain (SCS), in the ‘80s that his career began to grow wings. After a single Counterstrain treatment alleviated his sciatica pain, Larry began taking SCS courses around the country, absorbing as much knowledge as he could from “the wild and crazy guy doing wild and crazy stuff.” 

Becoming highly skilled in the Strain Counterstrain technique didn’t magically bring business to his doorstep though. Not at first. Week after week, Larry built a cult-like following by lending his time and talents to the very athletic community that led him to PT school in the first place. With his wife and young children in tow, he’d treat acute injuries from the sidelines at local high schools and colleges, eventually making his way to the BMX world and the now-defunct Goodwill Games of the ‘90s. 

“It was the best marketing strategy I had at the time and I took it seriously,” says Larry. “I wasn’t putting kids back in the game unless they were ready. In most cases though, I could get them back on their feet quickly—sometimes immediately.” 

From Labs to Laps: The Counterstrain Advantage

In the lab, Larry often instructs students to view the human body as an airplane with backup systems. Bodies constantly accommodate to allow people to keep going before eventually crashing. When the plane is still in the air, they don’t necessarily have many complaints. They do, however, have a lot of dysfunction. 

The ability to recognize dysfunction is ultimately what set him and his athletes apart from the competition. Where a typical athletic trainer might treat concussion syndrome by monitoring symptoms or quickly evaluating cognitive ability, Larry would treat dysfunctions of the neck and thoracic spine to get star players back on the field or court. And though SCS techniques weren’t conventional at the time, the praise Larry received from local coaches and parents became all too common.

“I’m not God,” says Larry. “I just did the technique. That’s the thing with SCS—word gets out quickly. If you can enable someone to win a championship, that’s the best marketing you can have. It increases your chances of being successful.”

To say Larry has been successful as a Counterstrainer would be an understatement. From owning and eventually selling his private practice and sidelining over 1,000 sporting events to teaching new clinicians the Counterstrain method, Larry has single-handedly touched thousands of people in need. 

Those he can’t touch? Well, it pains him. 

“When I’m watching pro sports or a college game as a fan, I’m studying what the ATs are doing. I just want to get my hands on the athletes!” he laughs. “Those high ankle sprains you see on TV? Those athletes are usually out 6-8 weeks. I wouldn’t have anyone out for more than two.” 

In those cases and many others, Larry says that misdiagnoses are often to blame for unnecessary recovery protocols. “Oftentimes when athletes incur an injury, it’s not even a pain or strain—it’s a neuromuscular dysfunction caused by a quick stretch to the tissue in a shortened position. By doing Counterstrain, you can relieve this dysfunction and return them to action much quicker than usual.” 

On Becoming a Better Athletic Trainer

Going to school, becoming certified, and gaining experience in the field is merely the beginning. To set yourself up for success as a newly-licensed clinician, suggests Larry, is to find your niche.

“Whether you’re an AT, PT, plumber, or electrician, you need to pick a speciality. You don’t want to be a jack of all trades, master of none.

If you know Counterstrain, you’re way ahead of the average AT—you’re able to do things other athletic trainers can’t do. If you become even moderately skilled in SCS, you’ll see a dramatic increase in the rate of recovery and how effective you can be in your rehabilitation process.” 

Those opportunities are what keeps Larry connected to the Counterstrain community these days. They’re why he won’t look to a patient’s chart for a success story. Instead he’ll recall a game-winning touchdown or the look on a senior’s face when they realize they’re going to state. 

Pain relief, then, is somewhat secondary to veteran Counterstrainers like Larry. To give someone the ability to realize a dream—that’s how you keep score. 

***

Larry Ham is currently an instructor for The Jones Institute, teaching SCS Complete Body and FCS for the Visceral System. To view available courses, please visit your Student Portal.

Share
2

Comments are closed.

About

  • The Jones Institute
  • Counterstrain
  • Case Studies
  • Instructors
  • Blog

Courses

  • 2026 Schedule
  • Course Descriptions

Help

  • Search for Practitioner
  • FAQ
  • Contact Us
© The Jones Institute All Rights Reserved

      Shannon Arndt, MSPT, JSCC, is a distinguished physical therapist and owner of Soundview Center for Well-being, Lone Lake Physical Therapy, and Sage Counterstrain. She holds an MSPT from the University of Rhode Island, where she graduated at the top of her class, and is a Board Certified Specialist in Strain and Counterstrain. Shannon’s expertise extends to her work with The Bridge Back Project, where she uses counterstrain techniques to support veterans and first responders in their recovery from PTSD. Passionate about patient education, she thrives on uncovering the complex interconnections of physical impairments and empowering individuals to manage their health autonomously.

      Dr. Kim Braun, PT, DPT, brings over 30 years of experience to her practice as a doctor of physical therapy, with a focus on comprehensive pain and dysfunction treatment. She earned her initial PT degree from the University of Iowa and later completed her Doctor of Physical Therapy at St. Scholastica College. Passionate about infant care, Dr. Braun specializes in treating and preventing torticollis and plagiocephaly. Her dedication to patient-centered care is rooted in integrity, efficacy, compassion, and advocacy, utilizing a holistic approach for rehabilitation, prevention, and wellness. Dr. Braun has pursued extensive post-graduate study in the Fascial Counterstrain technique through the Jones Institute and with Brian Tuckey, PT, OCS, JSCCI, and is excited to leverage Counterstrain when other interventions have proven insufficient.

      Michael Wangsness, PT, DPT, ATC, CSC I, holds a Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training from Nova Southeastern University (2007) and earned his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Minnesota (2010). He began incorporating Fascial Counterstrain (FCS) into his practice in 2011 and has advanced to teaching roles, serving as a Teaching Assistant since 2016 and a Lab Instructor since 2020. In 2022, Michael was among the first to receive his CSC I certification. Passionate about FCS, he has been privileged to train extensively under Brian Tuckey. Michael currently practices at an outpatient clinic for M Health Fairview in Woodbury, MN. Outside of work, he enjoys golfing, coaching hockey, and spending time with his wife, Heather, and their three children: Olivia, Gavin, and Amelia.

      Greg Zadow has been a self-employed physical therapist since 1998. He earned a Bachelor of Applied Science in physiotherapy from the University of South Australia and Doctor of Physical Therapy from the Rocky Mountain University of Health Professionals. Greg is the owner and clinic director of Green Ridge Physical Therapy and Wellness, his Oregon-based private practice. In 2011, he became certified in the Strain Counterstrain (SCS) technique and continued on to complete a mastery program with Counterstrain Academy and become a Jones Strain Counterstrain Certified Instructor (JSCCI) of Fascial Counterstrain (FCS). Greg has been using Counterstrain ever since his first introduction to the technique in 1991 and now holds over 20 years of continuing education experience in the field of manual therapy.

      Kyle graduated from San Diego State University in 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology and earned a Doctor of Physical Therapy from the University of Miami in 2014.​ Kyle immediately started his private practice and became certified with The Jones Institute after witnessing the powerful effects of Counterstrain on his patients. Kyle currently lends his expertise to the Doctor of Physical Therapy programs at both San Diego State University and the University of Miami. Since joining The Jones Institute as a lab instructor in 2015, Kyle has taken on additional roles in managing the company’s domestic headquarters, developing the curriculum for a new anatomy program, and teaching Anatomy Dissection as the lead instructor.

      Eryn Milian earned a Bachelor of Science in chemistry and environmental science from William Smith College along with a Doctor of Physical Therapy and PhD from the University of Miami. Her doctoral work focused on anatomical sciences and measurable outcomes which inform her current clinical expertise in orthopedics and sport physical therapy. Since joining the University of Miami’s faculty in 2013, Eryn has expanded her role as assistant professor to become a course master for neuroanatomy and instructor for both pelvic anatomy and the university’s orthopedic, sport, and neuroscience residency programs. Her research interests lie primarily in knee injuries and the development of reliable and valid measures of assessing ACL risk in adolescent athletes via musculoskeletal ultrasound.

      Tim Hodges has worked in the field of physical rehabilitation since 1996. Since joining The Jones Institute in 2004, he’s assisted Brian Tuckey, PT, OCS, JSCCI, in the development of several Fascial Counterstrain techniques and taught numerous Fascial Counterstrain courses as a certified instructor. Tim continues to apply his knowledge and expertise through Counterstrain Academy—a mastery program designed for licensed Counterstrainers throughout the country. In addition to developing the program’s curriculum and overseeing its mentorships, Tim is currently practicing at Counterstrain Portland, his Oregon-based private practice.

      Larry Ham graduated from the University of Southern California in 1978 with a Master of Science in physical therapy. He took his first Counterstrain course in 1986 after Lawrence Jones, D.O., treated him and successfully eliminated all back and sciatica pain. He’s now certified to teach Strain and Fascial Counterstrain courses for the spine and extremities and the viscera, respectively. In addition to teaching Counterstrain in the U.S. and Australia, Larry has served on the sidelines of over one thousand sporting events as a Certified Athletic Trainer. Though nearing retirement, Larry still practices in Spokane, Washington, and enjoys spending his free time with his wife, sons, and grandchildren. You can catch him scuba diving with sharks, remodeling his home, or hydrofoiling on the lake.

      Robert Dowd holds a Bachelor of Science in medicine with a certificate in physical therapy, Master of Healthcare Administration, and Doctor of Physical Therapy. Robert is now a Jones Strain Counterstrain Certified Instructor (JSCCI) who’s dedicated to presenting Counterstrain the way Lawrence Jones, D.O., advised his students to do at his final course offering. Robert applies the philosophy of Counterstrain to all clinical settings from the outpatient orthopedic clinic, acute care hospital, and ICU to the nursing home and hospice industry. When he’s not practicing in the Black Hills of South Dakota, Robert can be found writing, fishing, hunting, or riding his motorcycle.

      Holly Christy earned a Bachelor of Science from the University of Washington, Master of Acupuncture from Northwest Institute of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, and Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine from Bastyr University where she currently teaches as an adjunct clinical faculty member. Holly started her practice in 2000 and became a lead instructor for Counterstrain Academy in 2014 after a mastery-level internship with Tim Hodges, LMT, JSCCI. In 2019, she became a Jones Strain Counterstrain Certified Instructor (JSCCI) of Fascial Counterstrain (FCS) for the nervous system. Though Counterstrain is her primary modality, Holly also offers primary care, acupuncture, prolotherapy, custom orthotics, and intravenous nutrient therapy.

      Brian Tuckey, a magna cum laude graduate of the University of Maryland School of Physical Therapy, became board certified in orthopedics in 1995. Under the tutelage of Lawrence Jones, D.O., Brian became one of only four physical therapists in the world to be certified in the Strain Counterstrain (SCS) technique. He was also the first practitioner to recognize Counterstrain’s impact on the fascial system which led to his development of Fascial Counterstrain (FCS) with over 800 anatomically-specific techniques in addition to the FCS Cranial Scan—a proprietary assessment that identifies dysfunction in all systems and regions of the body. When he’s not teaching, Brian is treating complex patients at Tuckey and Associates Physical Therapy in Frederick, Maryland.

      Randall Kusunose founded The Jones Institute in 1988 with Lawrence Jones, D.O., the original developer of Counterstrain. He was the first therapist to be board certified in orthopedics by the American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties in California. Randall has trained all Jones Strain Counterstrain Certified Instructors (JSCCI) in the U.S., France, Italy, and Australia, and developed over 60 Jones Strain Counterstrain techniques along with the Facilitated Counterstrain curriculum. When he’s not practicing, you can find Randall skiing, scuba diving, and relaxing on the sand in the beautiful beach town of Encinitas, California.