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The Beginner’s Guide to SCS Complete Body

April 22, 2021
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  • Counterstrain Courses
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Strain Counterstrain (SCS) Complete Body may have a new name and format, but this foundational Jones Institute course is far from novel. To catch you up to speed and set you up for success, we rounded up the most frequently asked questions about this exciting course offering. 

What is SCS Complete Body? 

SCS Complete Body is a 3-in-1 course that combines all introductory courses formerly known as Jones Counterstrain: Upper Quarter, Lower Quarter, and Facilitated. Instead of taking each course separately—sometimes months or years apart—you’ll get a whole-body approach to dysfunction and somatic pain. Through a combination of online self study and in-person lab work, you’ll understand how to gently and effectively treat the cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine, hip, pelvis, sacrum, and upper and lower extremities. By the end of the course, you’ll have acquired over 185 advanced manual therapy techniques to address somatic dysfunction, balance the nervous systems, and optimize vascular flow in order to relieve your patients of persistent pain once and for all. 

What is SCS exactly? 

Strain Counterstrain or “SCS” is an advanced manual therapy procedure that removes painful and reflexive contractions from the body. In practice, it looks like a gentle, passive positioning of the patient’s body in order to slacken or decompress the targeted tissue. This technique serves as the foundation for the entire SCS curriculum, allowing you to confidently treat pain regardless of its location or severity.

To learn more, check out our Counterstrain Rationale videos on YouTube.

Is SCS Complete Body online or in person? 

SCS Complete Body is a hybrid course consisting of over nine hours of online instruction plus a 3-day in-person lab at a designated course location. Upon registration, you’ll get immediate access to all pre-recorded lectures and demonstrations. You’ll also receive two manuals by mail for reference and observations. 

After the introductory lecture, you’ll watch the remaining videos at your own pace in any order, moving from one anatomical region to the next, revisiting sections as needed. And while you won’t physically practice the techniques until the lab portion of the course, you’re welcome to get a head start at home with a willing spouse or friend. 

How much does SCS Complete Body cost? 

Because we’ve combined three courses into one, the rate for SCS Complete Body varies based on your individual course history. Rates are as follows: 

  • $1499: Students who have not taken any JCS or SCS courses
  • $1049: Students who have taken one of the following courses:
    • SCS for the Spine
    • SCS for the Extremities
    • JCS for the Upper Quarter
    • JCS for the Lower Quarter
  • $599: Students who have taken a combination of either:
    • SCS for the Spine and SCS for the Extremities
    • JCS for the Upper Quarter and JCS for the Lower Quarter

Regardless of the rate, all students will have access to the same course features and materials. 

What if I only need to take a portion of the course? 

Since SCS Complete Body includes separate lectures and demos for each anatomical region, you can easily skip past sections you’ve already learned. One of the biggest benefits of the course is that you’ll have 24/7 access to a library of over 185 SCS techniques within your Student Portal. 

If you’d like to retake a previous course and skip the 3-day lab, you may purchase individual course videos from the Online Education section of your Student Portal. 

Is SCS Complete Body beginner friendly? 

Don’t let the sheer number of techniques overwhelm you—SCS Complete Body is designed for beginners! Whether you’re fresh out of PT school or growing your private practice, Strain Counterstrain will give you an entirely new and accessible approach to manual intervention. If you have a license to practice, you’re already well qualified to learn SCS techniques. In fact, after just three days of lab practice, most students will feel confident enough to begin implementing the techniques in the clinic come Monday morning.

What can I expect to get from this course? 

In short, you’ll be in a position to get your patients better, faster! You’ll no longer wonder whether or not your interventions will work for this patient or that diagnosis. You’ll no longer doubt yourself as a professional. 

Additionally, you’ll understand the neurophysiological basis for Counterstrain, be able to perform the general Counterstrain procedure, and be relatively comfortable applying over 185 learned techniques. You’ll also have learned facilitatory techniques to reduce hold times and maximize results. 

How do I get started?

We recommend starting with our free Intro to SCS Complete Body lecture! Simply log in to your Student Portal or create a new account, complete your order (no credit card required!) and begin learning the history and origin of the Strain Counterstrain technique.

From there, you can check availability and register for an upcoming SCS Complete Body course right from your Student Portal.

How do I become a Strain Counterstrain certified practitioner? 

With SCS Complete Body, the path to certification has never been easier! Upon completion of the course, you’ll advance to SCS Cranial. Then, depending on your comfort and skill level, you can choose the SCS Mentorship program for one-on-one skill development or go straight to the certification test. The latter takes place over a 3-day weekend where you’ll fine-tune your palpation skills before taking a written exam. With sufficient clinical practice and just two to three courses, you’ll have the opportunity to become Jones Strain Counterstrain Certified (JSCC) in two years or less! 

To check course availability or to register for SCS Complete Body, please visit your Student Portal.

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      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.