Case Study: Resolving Acute Right Foot Pain After a Long Car Ride

Discover how a 30-minute Fascial Counterstrain session helped uncover the hidden link between spinal tension and foot pain.

Acute foot pain can sometimes appear without injury — and the cause may lie far from where the pain is felt.

Disclaimer: The following case study is based on a 30-minute treatment session and is a summary only. The response to treatment varies from person to person.

The Story

One weekend, a patient booked an urgent appointment due to a sudden onset of right foot pain. The discomfort had developed over two days, shortly after a long car ride. They explained that they had spent about an hour seated in the back of an older 4WD on the way to a farm. While it wasn’t an off-road trip, the awkward seating position seemed to leave a lasting impact.

The next day, they noticed a sharp pain across the top of the right foot, right in the middle. As the day went on, the pain and swelling increased, making it difficult to walk. By the third day, the patient was limping and struggling to bear weight on the foot — that’s when they decided to seek help at my clinic.

Clinical Assessment

From the patient’s story, I suspected there was more involved than just the foot itself. There was no injury or repetitive overuse, and the symptoms didn’t suggest gout or arthritis.

During the assessment, I found the patient’s lumbar extension was limited, and when I applied a light pressure (known as touch inhibition) over the upper sacral region, their back movement immediately improved. Observation of walking showed a guarded gait — the patient was subconsciously holding the foot rigid and avoiding ankle movement. Another light touch inhibition at the lower sacrum temporarily eased the foot pain, confirming a connection between the spinal area and the foot.

Fascial Counterstrain Assessment

Using a detailed palpation method from Fascial Counterstrain, I examined the soft tissue system layer by layer. Swelling was obvious across the top of the right mid-foot, and the foot appeared slightly supinated (rolled outward). Ligament stress tests for sprain were negative — consistent with the absence of trauma.

Further assessment of the spinal and sacral areas revealed key restrictions at:

• L1 (first lumbar segment): affecting the anterior longitudinal ligament, spinal vein, spinal artery, and nearby nerve connections.

• S3 (third sacral segment): affecting sacral alignment, nerves, and small blood vessels.

In addition, there was a local venous congestion in the right foot, contributing to both swelling and stiffness.

Treatment

Using gentle Fascial Counterstrain (FCS) techniques, I released the restrictions in the lumbar, sacral, and foot regions. These methods are designed to restore mobility to the fascia — the connective tissue that surrounds and supports every structure in the body — and to assist the body’s natural circulation and healing response.

After treatment, the patient’s lumbar movement was fully restored. On standing and walking, they noticed a significant improvement — the sharp foot pain eased, and they were able to walk comfortably again. They happily reported being able to fit into their shoes without discomfort.

(Individual responses vary. Some patients may experience rapid relief, while others may require several sessions depending on the nature and duration of their condition.)

Understanding the Mechanism

This case highlighted how restrictions in the fascial system — especially at the spinal and vascular levels — can influence symptoms in seemingly distant areas such as the foot.

How Indirect Techniques Work

Fascial Counterstrain works through indirect techniques, which means tissues are moved in the direction of ease rather than resistance. Unlike direct approaches that stretch or press into tight muscles, indirect methods aim to calm the body’s protective reflexes. Many patients describe the treatment as gentle, relaxing, and deeply relieving.

Restoring Circulation and Nerve Mobility

By reducing fascial tension, this approach helps restore normal blood flow, lymphatic drainage, and nerve mobility. Once these systems are balanced, inflammation can subside more efficiently and pain signals can settle naturally.

A Note on Healing and Exercise

Pain Relief vs. True Healing

It’s important to understand that rapid pain relief does not necessarily mean the tissue is instantly healed. Pain often results from inflammation and the accumulation of inflammatory chemicals (cytokines) when lymphatic flow is restricted. Restoring this flow through Fascial Counterstrain allows the body to clear these irritants and resume its natural repair process — this is part of your normal metabolism.

When to Introduce Exercise

For acute inflammation, gentle manual therapy is often more beneficial than stretching or strengthening exercises, which may aggravate protective muscle reflexes. Once pain and inflammation have improved, exercise becomes an important next step to build strength, restore flexibility, and maintain long-term results.

Takeaway

The Body as a Whole System

This case is a reminder that the body functions as a connected system — pain in one area may originate elsewhere. Through precise and gentle hands-on methods, Fascial Counterstrain aims to address the deeper causes of restriction, supporting the body’s ability to recover naturally.

If you’re living with persistent pain or swelling that hasn’t responded to conventional approaches, a detailed assessment using Fascial Counterstrain may help uncover the missing link.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can Fascial Counterstrain help with foot pain?

Yes — Fascial Counterstrain can be effective for certain types of foot pain, particularly when symptoms are related to fascial restrictions involving nerves, ligaments, bony surfaces, or vascular structures, rather than structural injury such as a fracture or dislocation.

In the acute phase, management usually follows the P.R.I.C.E. principle: Protection, Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. Fascial Counterstrain can complement this by supporting fluid flow and tissue recovery. It can be used in both acute and chronic conditions, but each person’s situation is unique — an assessment is essential before determining suitability.

2. What does Fascial Counterstrain feel like?

Most patients describe the treatment as very gentle and relaxing. During the session, you may feel your body naturally soften or release tension as the tissues ease.

Some patients report not feeling much during treatment because the movements are subtle and involve precise positioning. However, later that day or the next, they may experience a mild, temporary ache — this is thought to reflect the release of trapped inflammation as the body restores normal circulation. Your natural metabolic systems (such as the liver and kidneys) help process these changes, and most people feel improved within one to three days.

3. How many sessions are usually required?

This depends on the complexity of the condition and how long it has been present. Some people notice improvement after one or two sessions, while others with long-standing issues may benefit from a series of treatments over time.

4. How often are treatments needed?

In acute situations, treatments are typically twice a week for one to two weeks, allowing tissues to settle and heal.

For more complex or chronic issues, sessions may begin once a week, then gradually space out to fortnightly and eventually monthly as the condition improves.

For example, a patient might start with two to three weekly sessions, then move to fortnightly for another few sessions, and finally monthly maintenance. In total, this may range from six to ten sessions depending on the nature of the problem.

Disclaimer: Every person’s condition varies, and there are no guaranteed treatment outcomes. Your rehabilitation plan and goals will always be discussed individually.

5. Do I need to do exercises after Fascial Counterstrain?

In the early stages, the goal is to calm inflammation and restore circulation. Once symptoms improve, specific exercises can help strengthen and stabilise the area, supporting long-term recovery and resilience.

6. Is Fascial Counterstrain safe?

Yes — it’s a gentle, non-invasive manual therapy that works with the body’s natural healing processes. All treatments are performed by a qualified physiotherapist following professional safety and ethical standards.

Kenneth Yuen
APA Titled Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist
Certified Fascial Counterstrain Practitioner (USA)
Fascial Release Clinic – Glenelg, Adelaide

Fascial Release Clinic is conveniently located in Glenelg, Adelaide, offering advanced physiotherapy and Fascial Counterstrain treatments for pain and movement disorders.