Strain Counterstrain and ALS: Supporting the Body With Less Effort

Living with ALS often means navigating a body that holds tension differently over time. Muscles may feel tight, guarded, or painful, not because they are “overworked,” but because the nervous system is working harder to maintain stability and control.

Strain Counterstrain is a gentle manual approach that can be especially supportive for people living with ALS.

Rather than stretching or forcing tissue to change, Strain Counterstrain works by positioning the body in ways that allow the nervous system to reduce protective muscle guarding. This creates an opportunity for tone to soften, discomfort to ease, and movement to feel more accessible again.

For individuals with ALS, this matters. As voluntary strength changes, the body often compensates by increasing tension elsewhere. Over time, this can contribute to pain, fatigue, and reduced movement quality. Strain Counterstrain offers a way to support the body without adding physical stress or demand.

Ales uses this approach thoughtfully and selectively. It may be integrated into a session to help reduce tone before movement, to improve comfort during alignment work, or to support recovery on days when energy is limited. The goal is not to “fix” the body, but to help it feel safe enough to move more efficiently.

In ALS, care must be respectful, adaptable, and responsive. Strain Counterstrain aligns with that philosophy, offering support without pressure, and relief without exhaustion.