About
The most effective and gentle treatment in the world
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 musculoskeletal spasms from the body by draining trapped inflammation from dysfunctional tissues. Chemical irritation from chronic inflammation and deep fascial pain receptors 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 holds a Bachelor’s in Kinesiology from San Diego State University and a 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, he enjoys traveling, surfing, and spending time with his wife, Marissa, and daughter, Leila.
Marissa Kusunose, PT, DPT, NCPT | Certified Pilates Instructor | Counterstrain Therapist
Marissa received her bachelor’s from University of California Irvine and her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from The University of Miami where she simultaneously achieved certification in pilates rehabilitation from Polestar Pilates. Marissa utilized pilates rehabilitation and Counterstrain to alleviate her own low back pain and dysfunction and is passionate about providing this same experience to her patients. In her free time, Marissa enjoys hiking, exercising, and spending time with her family and friends.
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.