Sage Counterstrain, PLLC

Sage Counterstrain, PLLC was created to provide high quality Counterstrain Treatment on South Whidbey. Counterstrain is a unique hands on technique that gently unwinds tension caused by protective responses of tissues in the body. It acknowledges the body’s innate intelligence to maintain function despite trauma, both physical and emotional. This technique is subtle, incredibly specific, painless, and provides a powerful sense of release. Counterstrain restores movement, function, and helps the body to be able to return to health. It addresses the fascial tension which traps inflammation and is often the root cause of pain and disease, whether acute or chronic, and has a unique potential to help your body be able to heal conditions that have not responded to other treatments.

WHAT IS COUNTERSTRAIN?

Counterstrain is an extremely gentle, relaxing and profoundly powerful treatment. This hands-on therapeutic technique targets specific anatomical structures (from muscles down to individual artery, nerve, lymphatic or venous vessels) to address dysfunction of the structure. Dysfunction is not disease, but it is a condition that does not allow the structure to function well, causing a variety of issues in the body; pain, muscle guarding, numbness, weakness, congestion and swelling.

Anyone who has received a Fascial Counterstrain treatment will to tell you that it is a wonderful, but very hard to explain technique. That is because it is unlike any treatment you have experienced in the past.

Here are resources to help you understand the physiological rational for counterstrain and what to expect with a treatment:

YouTube Video with the Creator of Fascial Counterstrain, Brian Tuckey- Fascial Counterstrain 101

B. Tuckey’s article about the physiological rational: Interstitial Inflammatory Stasis, IIS

Shannon’s explanation of the IIS rationale: What is IIS?

What is the interstitium? (Radiolab Podcast)

shannon arndt, mspt, jscc

Shannon Arndt is a Physical Therapist who has dedicated her career to the Fascial Counterstrain Technique. She is a Certified Fascial Counterstrain Instructor and is a Board Certified Specialist in Strain and Counterstrain.  Shannon has worked as a Teaching Assistant and Lab Instructor for the Jones Institute since 2017 and began teaching for the Jones Institute in 2023.

She graduated the top of her class from the University of Rhode Island with her MSPT in 2006.

Shannon runs the Soundview Center, a wellness center on Whidbey Island, in Washington State. She is the owner of both Lone Lake Physical Therapy and Sage Counterstrain in Langley, Washington. Shannon volunteers in her community as a steering council member at Healing Circles Langley, and is a member of the Roots of Wellness Board which focuses on improving community well-being through organizing no-cost community events and classes.

 Shannon has a love for nature and enjoys hiking, swimming, biking and traveling. She has 2 children with her husband and a sweet dog named Wicket (who you will likely meet if you come into her clinic).

new patients

Sage Counterstrain, PLLC is not a contracted provider with any insurance company and fees must be paid at the time of service. Cranial Fascial Treatments are not covered by Medicare and super bills cannot be given to Medicare Beneficiaries. Cranial fascial treatment may not be covered by other insurance companies based on their requirements. Patients are responsible for the full cost of their session.

• 2024 Rates: Initial visit: $200, follow up sessions $175

Typical visit time is 55 min.

New patients: Please call 360-869-6400 (message only line) or email sagecounterstrain@gmail.com to find out more information or schedule an appointment.

Shannon has been a proud part of the Bridge Back Project since 2019. The BBP completed the first study researching how the effects of Fascial Counterstrain, as an adjunctive therapy, can help people in their recovery from long term effects of trauma (hopefully to be published in 2024). The BBP has also helped hundreds of military and first responders receive FCS treatments. To learn more and see videos about the treatment and this project go to: http://bridgeback.org/treatment/videos/. For more information about the Bridge Back Project, please visit the Bridge Back Project website.

Shannon’s testimonials of patients with chronic symptoms from traumatic history:

“During the session I experienced a surge of strong emotions that I had not experienced with Shannon’s treatments before, they were neither positive nor negative but very strong. One of my PTSD symptoms that affected my life regularly was a negative reaction to light changes that in turn caused panic attacks. After the treatment I no longer have a negative reaction or panic attacks due to change in light. I have also experienced an increase in smell and taste, both were limited prior to the treatment.I would highly recommend this to other PTSD patients if it was available. Shannon was thorough, easy mannered, professional, and knowledgeable. She created an environment where I felt safe and was able to let go and let the process work.”

- D.S.

AMH3

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“It’s not that [I] no longer dislike unexpected noise, gun fire or fireworks, it is that I feel more able to manage their effect on me. I describe it as an absence of some need to respond. I have a sense of distance from the physical effects and don’t experience the kind of anticipatory anxiety, guilt, or anger I’ve felt in the past.  My wife tells that I am less reactive in general and display fewer outbursts of anger.  Personally, I experience an increased ability to stay centered or calmer during arguments. This [is] not to say I’ve had a personality make over or anything, but from inside myself I feel more at ease and less likely to ruminate over old issues regarding traumatic events.

I would recommend anyone with post trauma issues to consider this treatment. I would especially encourage my Vet. Brothers and Sisters to look at this treatment.  It is unlike anything they will have experienced and I can only hope and trust their outcomes are as positive as mine.”

-P.M.

RM-2 (Radioman 2nd class)  1967-1971
Fleet Airwing 8  home based in Sangley Point and Subic Bay Pl flying recon over the south china sea. 70-71.

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