Counterstrain involves passively and indirectly shortening (folding) the muscle with the tender point being treated for up to 90 seconds or until A release is felt. This would be accomplished in this patient by positioning the sternocleidomastoid muscle into sidebent right and rotated left, which is where the patient/muscle prefers to move.

Rotated left, sidebent right rotated right, and sidebent left and rotated right are all incorrect because they would not cause maximal shortening of the left sternocleidomastoid muscle.

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