After patients began showing up at her clinic with improvements in their health conditions that Dr. Christy had not been able to help with the tools she had in her toolbox, she asked why. It turns out, they had started seeing a Fascial Counterstrain practitioner in her building - Timothy Hodges - and so she booked a session to see for herself what this was all about. After her first appointment, she immediately sought out training and mentorship to become a certified practitioner herself.

Despite encountering new, complex health cases decades into her medical practice, Dr. Christy continues to be impressed by the healing made possible by Fascial Counterstrain. When she juxtaposes the immense healing potential of Counterstrain combined with the fact that it struggles with an obscurity problem, constantly drives Dr. Christy to seek out new ways to spread awareness and educate health care providers and everyday people alike.

This inspired her to co-found the Bridge Back Project in 2016, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization on a mission to bring Fascial Counterstrain to the world, restore hope, and promote healing. Tackling the accessibility issue is at the heart of every project and program the organization offers. At the time of recording, the organization directly funds Counterstrain care for underserved communities. It also develops education projects - like this podcast - to build public awareness about Fascial Counterstrain as a viable treatment option for a wide variety of health conditions. Other program initiatives include funding clinical research trials to measure and verify the effects of Fascial Counterstrain, and working with leading US Counterstrain education institutions to build a Practitioner Scholarship Program that expands training opportunities for healthcare providers who face additional barriers and/or who are working with underserved and at risk populations.

Guest Information and Bio: Dr. Holly Christy, ND, LAEMP, CACI, JSCCI | she/her

Dr. Christy co-founded The Bridge Back Project in October of 2017 and is the principal investigator and executive director. She is passionate about providing a research-based treatment to help ease suffering for those who have suffered from post-traumatic stress injuries.

Dr. Christy has been trained in the highly specialized technique of Fascial Counterstrain by Tim Hodges, LMP, JSCCI, CACI, and Brian Tuckey, PT, OCS, JSCCI, both of whom have been pioneering an effort to expand the methodology of Counterstrain to effectively restore function to the fascial systems of the body: Visceral, Neural, Cranial/Dural, Musculoskeletal, Arterial, Venous, and Lymphatic. She is an instructor for the Counterstrain Academy and the Jones Institute, and a graduate and clinical adjunct faculty member of Bastyr University.

A lifelong Washingtonian, Dr. Christy earned her Bachelor of Science from the University of Washington, Master of Acupuncture from Northwest Institute of Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine, and Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine from Bastyr University. She has been in practice since 2000.

Get In Touch with Holl

The Bridge Back Project

• Support the Bridge Back Project Today: Donate Here
• Our Website
• Our Youtube Channel
• Our Instagram
• Our Facebook

Find a Fascial Counterstrain Practitioner Near You:

• 3rd Party Practitioner Directory

Credits:

Host: Theora Moench
Editor: Haley Diaz
Executive Producer: Bridge Back Project
Music: bensound.com “New Frontier” - License code: PUUI20THRCM9CSDQ

Mark Vennerholm shares his journey from being in the Navy to becoming a dedicated Fascial Counterstrain practitioner. He initially joined the Navy with the goal of becoming a Navy SEAL. After serving on two different carriers and pursuing various avenues within the Navy, Mark eventually had to make the hard decision to change career paths due to severe, persistent, life-threatening health issues.

In his search to find effective treatment for the symptoms he was experiencing, he discovered Counterstrain through a naturopathic doctor - Dr. Holly Christy - and experienced significant, rapid improvements in his health where other treatments had failed to yield results.

Mark quickly realized that becoming a Fascial Counterstrain practitioner, could be a fulfilling way to help patients like him, particularly those in the military community. Mark now works as a full-time Fascial Counterstrain provider in San Diego and helps his patients understand the interconnectedness of their symptoms. He emphasizes the importance of treating the whole body and finding the root cause of pain and dysfunction.

During his manual therapy training, Mark encountered concerning misconceptions about what Counterstrain really is, even within the manual therapy sector. Despite the challenges of explaining to others what exactly Counterstrain is and how it works to, he highlights the potential for both effective treatment and preventive care through Counterstrain, naturopathy, and other multi-system healthcare approaches. He encourages listeners to explore the healing possibilities of Fascial Counterstrain and consider "alternative" healing methods, especially where more traditional care strategies have failed.

Guest Information and Bio: Mark Vennerholm, CMT, HHP | he/him

Mark graduated from the International College of Holistic Studies (ICOHS) as a Certified Massage Therapist (CMT), Holistic Health Practitioner (HHP) and also has a degree in Aviation: Professional Pilot from Oklahoma State University. Mark received Counterstrain treatments from Dr. Kyle Kusunose (San Diego, CA) and Dr. Holly Christy (Poulsbo, WA) while serving in the U.S. Navy and was blown away by the outstanding results he experienced receiving Counterstrain and other whole-body care strategies he employed. After spending six years in the Navy, he felt the calling to change career paths and become a Counterstrain Specialist so that 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.

Get In Touch with Mark:

• You can contact Mark through the Counterstrain San Diego Clinic

The Bridge Back Project

• Support the Bridge Back Project Today: Donate Here
• Our Website
• Our Youtube Channel
• Our Instagram
• Our Facebook

Find a Fascial Counterstrain Practitioner Near You:

• 3rd Party Practitioner Directory

Credits:

Host: Theora Moench
Editor: Haley Diaz
Executive Producer: Bridge Back Project
Music: bensound.com “New Frontier” - License code: PUUI20THRCM9CSDQ

In this episode, Haley Cari, a Physician Assistant, Counterstrain provider, and co-host of the Doing It Disabled podcast, shares her journey of living with chronic illness and the transformative impact of Fascial Counterstrain therapy. Diagnosed with POTS, Haley discusses how Counterstrain has helped her manage symptoms, and maintain a fulfilling career. She reflects on how her experiences as a patient living with a disability have shaped her approach to health care and health advocacy. Haley opens up about navigating a healthcare system that often dismisses chronic conditions, emphasizing the importance of self-advocacy and effective treatment.

Haley is eager to amplify awareness about Counterstrain therapy's applications, especially within the Latin community and other underserved populations. She's observed significant healing and relief in her pain management patients and is eager to make Counterstrain more available to those currently without access to help her patients' heal.

Haley also discusses her work with Doing It Disabled, a podcast she co-hosts that empowers individuals with health conditions and disabilities to live life and pursue dreams on their own terms. Through her business, Humerus Med, and her advocacy efforts, Haley is paving the way for a more inclusive, understanding, and accessible healthcare system.

Guest Bio:
Haley Cari, DMSc, PA-C (she/her/ella), is a Cuban-American physician associate from Miami, FL. Diagnosed with POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome) in 2020 after navigating her own complex health journey, Haley has dedicated her career to serving patients in family medicine, functional medicine, and pain management. She began Counterstrain training in 2023. She is also the co-host of the Doing it Disabled podcast and founder of The Humerus Med, a social advocacy company supporting chronically ill and disabled medical professionals.

Get in Touch with Haley:

• Haley's Instagram
• Doing it Disabled Instagram:
• Email: doingitdisabledpod@gmail.com

Links:

• Jeffrey Bender MPT, JSCC - in Miami, FL
• Brian Tuckey, PT - in Frederick, MD
• Chronically Fit Group - fitness community for the chronically ill founded by Charlotte Bull
• Carolina Functional Neurology Center
• POTS Coach - Rosie Bailey
• The Humerus Med
• Listen to Doing It Disabled Podcast cohosted by Haley Cari and Catalina Ritzinger
  • Episode mentioned: What is Autistic Burnout?

The Bridge Back Project

• Support the Bridge Back Project Today: Donate Here
• Our Website
• Our Youtube Channel
• Our Instagram
• Our Facebook

Find a Fascial Counterstrain Practitioner Near You:

• 3rd Party Practitioner Directory

Credits:

Host: Theora Moench
Editor: Haley Diaz
Executive Producer: Bridge Back Project
Music: bensound.com “New Frontier” - License code: PUUI20THRCM9CSDQ

In this episode, physical therapist Shannon Arndt shares her journey of discovering and specializing in Fascial Counterstrain—a therapeutic technique that releases trapped inflammation in the body to promote healing and pain relief. Arndt discusses how Counterstrain works across various conditions, addressing symptoms such as digestive issues, sleep disturbances, joint injuries, and concussions. Through patient stories and personal insights, she illustrates how Counterstrain can be a transformative tool for recovery from physical and emotional trauma.

Arndt highlights a powerful example of treating a Vietnam War veteran, who, after decades of PTSD, regained peace and emotional stability. The physiological healing he experienced due to Counterstrain, allowed his body to fundamentally restore and re-regulate. This enabled him to release years of fear, anxiety, and guilt, restoring his quality of life and improving his closest relationships. She also discusses the technique's effectiveness for those suffering from persistent symptoms post-concussion, helping individuals regain mental clarity and focus when other treatments haven’t been successful.

Arndt envisions Counterstrain as a highly accessible, affordable, and practical solution for underserved communities, bringing relief to those who may lack traditional healthcare resources.

Guest Bio:
Shannon Arndt, MSPT, JSCC, CSCI, is a physical therapist and founder of Lone Lake Physical Therapy and Soundview Center in Langley, WA.

Shannon began training in Counterstrain in 2010 – and she has not stopped since, dedicating herself to mastering Counterstrain because of the profound impact it has had in improving the lives of her patients. She was certified in Strain and Counterstrain in 2014 and then in Fascial Counterstrain in 2022. She has been a teacher's assistant for the Jones Institute starting in 2017, a Lab Instructor since 2020 and a full instructor in 2023.

Shannon has been working with the Bridge back Project since 2017, and considers it an amazing honor to support those who have experienced trauma as a result of serving our community.

Shannon is passionate about helping people to be able to live their best lives, easing the effects of trauma on the body and using neural re-processing techniques to break chronic pain cycles.

Get In Touch with Shannon:

• Contact Shannon at her clinic Sage Care Langley in Langley, WA

The Bridge Back Project

• Support the Bridge Back Project Today: Donate Here
• Our Website
• Our Youtube Channel
• Our Instagram
• Our Facebook

Find a Fascial Counterstrain Practitioner Near You:

• 3rd Party Practitioner Directory

Credits:

Host: Theora Moench
Editor: Haley Diaz
Executive Producer: Bridge Back Project
Music: bensound.com “New Frontier” - License code: PUUI20THRCM9CSDQ

In this episode, Brianna Cardenas, a physician assistant and athletic trainer, opens up about her personal journey with hypermobility syndromes and related comorbidities. Diagnosed after years of unexplained pain and health challenges, Cardenas discusses the importance of self-advocacy in navigating the medical system and the complexities of living with chronic conditions.

Cardenas shares how discovering Fascial Counterstrain, a specialized manual therapy, transformed her life. Counterstrain targets inflammation and restores lymphatic function, addressing chronic pain at its root. This multi-system approach can treat various structures and systems within the body, including the nervous, circulatory, lymphatic, and respiratory systems. Counterstrain has allowed Cardenas to regain not only her health, but also trust in her body again and experience improvements she thought were impossible.

Cardenas has not only integrated Fascial Counterstrain into her personal health plan, but she also uses it as a healthcare provider, offering her patients a path to relief from their chronic pain. She shares a touching story about how she was able to relieve her mother’s decades old chronic hip and lower back pain in just one session using Fascial Counterstrain. With a passion for expanding accessibility to Fascial Counterstrain, Cardenas envisions a future where this powerful therapy is available to more patients and integrated more broadly in medical practices.

Get In Touch:

• Brianna Cardenas on Instagram: @healedandempowered
• Element 7 Wellness in Poulsbo, Washington
• Healed and Empowered in California

Links to Resources:

• Patient-Oriented Mast Cell Disorder Resource: Mast Cells 360
• Patient-Oriented Mast Cell Disorder Resource: Mast Cell Disease Society
• Kellie Barnes MOMT, MPT in Portland, OR: Core Physical Therapy

Key Terms & Definitions:

• Pathology - the typical behavior of a disease
• Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome - a connective tissue disorder (What is EDS?)
• Dura - dura mater is a thick membrane made of dense irregular connective tissue that surrounds the brain and spinal cord (Wikipedia)
• Mast Cell - our first line of defense reacting to things they detect shouldn’t be in our body
• Histamines - chemicals produced by your immune system
• Interstitial space - the space between cells in the body

The Bridge Back Project

• Support the Bridge Back Project Today: Donate Here
• Our Website
• Our Youtube Channel
• Our Instagram
• Our Facebook

Find a Fascial Counterstrain Practitioner Near You:

• 3rd Party Practitioner Directory

Credits:

Host: Theora Moench
Editor: Haley Diaz
Executive Producer: Bridge Back Project
Music: bensound.com “New Frontier” - License code: PUUI20THRCM9CSDQ

In this episode, Brian Tuckey, a Board Certified Physical Therapist in Orthopedics, delves into the innovative technique of Fascial Counterstrain. He explains how this therapy identifies and removes trapped inflammation from the body, addressing the root cause of chronic inflammation—something often invisible on diagnostic tests. This unique approach can treat a variety of conditions, from musculoskeletal issues to concussions and chronic pain.

Tuckey shares the evolution of this therapy, from Dr. Lawrence Jones’ original Strain and Counterstrain technique to the modern Fascial Counterstrain, which he has further developed. He also offers insights into the science behind how this technique manually triggers the drainage of inflammation, catalyzing tissue healing.

Guest Information: Brian Tuckey, PT, OCS, JSCCI

Mr. Tuckey, is the originator of “Fascial Counterstrain” and has 30+ years of outpatient orthopedic experience. After several years of sports medicine practice, Mr. Tuckey took a strong interest in manual medicine and began training intensively in various osteopathic manipulation techniques, including under Dr. Lawrence Jones D.O., the originator of Strain and Counterstrain technique.

In the late 1990’s Mr. Tuckey began developing over 1000 new Counterstrain (CS) treatments that impact virtually every anatomical structure in the human body. The scope, specificity, and clinical impact of this new, multi-system version of Counterstrain, “Fascial Counterstrain (FCS)” is unmatched in the manipulation world.

Tuckey practices full time, owns Tuckey and Associates Physical Therapy, teaches FCS classes to an expanding international audience, and serves on the Bridge Back Project’s Advisory Council.

Links to Resources and Topics Mentioned:

• Impaired Lymphatic Drainage and Interstitial Inflammatory Stasis in Chronic Musculoskeletal and Idiopathic Pain Syndromes: Exploring a Novel Mechanism
• Life Force by Tony Robbins, Chapter 11 “Easing Pain with Counterstrain”
• Helen Maroulis - 2020 and 2024 Olympic US Wrestler
• Slides referenced - View Here!

Get In Touch:

• Tuckey & Associates Physical Therapy:
• Begin your Counterstrain Training at the Jones Institute

The Bridge Back Project

• Support the Bridge Back Project Today: Donate Here
• Our Website
• Our Youtube Channel
• Our Instagram
• Our Facebook

Find a Fascial Counterstrain Practitioner Near You:

• 3rd Party Practitioner Directory

Credits:

Host: Theora Moench
Editor: Haley Diaz
Executive Producer: Bridge Back Project
Music: bensound.com “New Frontier” - License code: PUUI20THRCM9CSDQ

Before becoming a naturopathic doctor and acupuncturist, Dr. Kristin Barnes served as a naval aviator for 23 years. In this episode, she shares her journey with Fascial Counterstrain (FCS), a manual technique that releases inflammation in the fascia to promote healing and pain relief.

Following a near-fatal bike accident, Dr. Barnes used Fascial Counterstrain to accelerate her recovery, impressing herself and her orthopedic surgeon. She also credits FCS as instrumental to her post-accident recovery from PTSD, enabling her to regain a healthy, high-quality life. Inspired by its impact, she now specializes in Fascial Counterstrain to help others heal.

Dr. Barnes is passionate about supporting veterans and survivors of military sexual trauma. She discusses the physical and emotional challenges veterans face after service and the importance of rebuilding community. She believes Fascial Counterstrain is a powerful tool for healing the nervous system, especially for those with trauma and PTSD, and integrates it with other therapies such as acupuncture, nutrition, and botanical medicine.

Dr. Barnes also touches on the potential of psychedelic medicine for treating post-traumatic stress and pain, and envisions a future where these healing techniques are widely accepted and covered by insurance.

Guest Bio: Dr. Kristin Barnes, ND, LAEMP | she/her
Dr. Barnes is a Naturopathic Physician, and Acupuncture and Eastern Medicine Practitioner with 23 years of Navy service. She specializes in working with veterans and patients seeking to address chronic stress and trauma. Certified in Psychedelic Assisted Therapy, she focuses on patient education, journey preparation, and responsible use of traditional medicines. Dr. Barnes holds degrees in Chemistry, Nutrition, Acupuncture, and Naturopathic Medicine and practices in Port Townsend and Poulsbo, WA. She joined the Bridge Back Project Board of Directors in 2024.

Links to Resources and Topics Mentioned:

• Find a Fascial Counterstrain Practitioner Near You: Directory
• No Fallen Heroes Foundation
• Dr. Holly Christy - Co-Founder of the Bridge Back Project and Clinic Director of Element 7 Wellness
• Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies - MAPS

Get in Touch with Dr. Kristin Barnes:

• Element 7 Wellness
• Private Practice: Meridian Passage Wellness
• LinkedIn Profile: Dr. Kristin Barnes

The Bridge Back Project

• Support the Bridge Back Project Today: Donate Here
• Our Website
• Our Youtube Channel
• Our Instagram
• Our Facebook

Find a Fascial Counterstrain Practitioner Near You:

• 3rd Party Practitioner Directory

Credits:

Host: Theora Moench
Editor: Haley Diaz
Executive Producer: Bridge Back Project
Music: bensound.com “New Frontier” - License code: PUUI20THRCM9CSDQ

The Bridge Back Project

• Support the Bridge Back Project Today: Donate Here
• Our Website
• Our Youtube Channel
• Our Instagram
• Our Facebook

Find a Fascial Counterstrain Practitioner Near You:

• 3rd Party Practitioner Directory

Credits:

Host: Theora Moench
Editor: Haley Diaz
Executive Producer: Bridge Back Project
Music: bensound.com “New Frontier” - License code: PUUI20THRCM9CSDQ