What Is the Graston Technique?

The Graston technique is a soft tissue adjustment technique that breaks up scar tissue to promote the healing of chronic conditions that have not responded to other chiropractic adjustment techniques. It can be used to treat a wide range of conditions that cause limited mobility and pain. This technique can be the answer to chronic physical pain for many people.

What Is the Graston Technique?

The Graston technique was invented by David Graston, an athlete, to aid in injury recovery. The inspiration came when Graston was recovering from an injured knee. He was a machinist by trade and became impatient with the slow progress of his recovery. Upon consultation with his physician, he invented a set of tools to use in an attempt to speed the recovery process.

The research on himself was a success, and he approached the medical and research team at Ball Memorial Hospital and Ball State University in Muncie, IN. The set of tools was further perfected through this collaboration, and the Graston Technique would soon become a part of standard practice for injury recovery and pain relief.

Since that time, the technique has been the subject of 20 years of research and is now a part of many advanced-degree programs in athletic training, chiropractic, and physical therapy. It is used by sports teams and U.S. Olympic training centers. Now, this technique is practiced by chiropractors, osteopath physicians, licensed massage therapists, athletic trainers, physical therapists, and occupational therapists. The technique is often used with other massage therapy and myofascial release techniques.

Soft tissue injuries occur in the softer tissues of the body, including the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints. They include minor injuries, such as bruises, sprains, stretched tendons, stretched ligaments, and muscle contusions. While these injuries are not usually considered as serious as damage to hard tissues, such as bone, they can cause long-term pain and mobility issues.

Healthy muscle tissue is elongated and dense. It runs in a similar direction, often matching those of ligaments and tendons. This alignment of the tissues increases the capacity of the muscle to gain strength with exercise and when it is put under strain. When a soft tissue injury occurs, collagen builds up on the muscle in clumps that cause the injured muscle to stick to the stronger muscle tissues nearby.

Soft tissue injuries can often occur during sports, exercise activities, or as a result of blunt trauma or force. As these injuries heal, they often cause the formation of scar tissue that is not as flexible as the original tissue, and this can restrict movement and cause long-term pain in the affected area. Over time, the surrounding muscles can become misaligned and compressed. The collagen build-up creates a knot or scar tissue, which is less flexible than the surrounding muscle. This results in decreased mobility and can cause pain in some cases.

How Does the Graston Technique Work?

The Graston technique can help break up the scar tissue and restore mobility to the affected area, which reduces pain. It also breaks fascia restrictions that are associated with soft tissue trauma. The technique works by stretching connective tissue in an attempt to reconfigure the soft tissue that is targeted by the treatment. It is a technique for relieving myofascial pain associated with scar tissue and trauma to soft tissues.

One way scar tissue formation can be prevented is through physical therapy. When physical therapy after an injury is inadequate, or the injury is severe enough, scar tissue can form. Scar tissue formation can limit the ability of the soft tissue to recover fully after an injury. The goal of physical therapy and recovery treatment is targeted toward reducing the formation of scar tissue and myofascial restrictions.

The formation of scar tissue can increase the likelihood of future injury. It also sets up the scenario for the development of osteoarthritis and other conditions associated with chronic joint injuries. It is important to prevent the formation of scar tissue after an injury, but if you do have scar tissue development, the Graston technique can help give your body the chance to heal the injury correctly.

What Does Graston Technique Resolve?

Graston Technique has been used to help reduce pain and symptoms in conditions that include:

• Fibromyalgia
• Tendonitis
• Carpel tunnel syndrome
• Lumbar spine pain
• Tennis elbow
• Neck pain
• Knee pain
• Golfer’s elbow
• Shoulder pain

Advantages of the Graston Technique

The goal of the Graston technique is to find the root cause of chronic pain connected to soft tissues of the body. It works by reducing muscle knots, restrictions, like scar tissue, and similar problems that are the cause of chronic pain. The Graston technique can help speed the healing process for both recent acute and chronic pain. It can reduce the need for anti-inflammatory medicines, reduce back pain, and resolve long-term chronic conditions that have not responded to other treatment modalities.

How Does Graston Technique Work?

The Graston technique uses a combination of steel instruments and physical therapy to help break down tissues and allow them to heal properly. The instrument used depends on the location of the injury. The treatment process involves using the instruments to break down the collagen lumps that form when soft tissues are injured.

The Graston technique works by separating and breaking collagen scar tissue. This is accomplished by stretching the muscle fibers to the point where the collagen is stretched to the breaking point. The chiropractor might use several techniques to achieve this. Once the connective tissue is broken, it promotes the natural healing processes of the body.

The Graston technique often results in a slight redness or temperature increase in the skin. It increases blood flow from the tissues, which also promotes the healing process. The concept behind the Graston technique is that it creates a new injury and stimulates the tissues to heal correctly. Physical therapy and reconditioning are necessary to make sure the new injury heals properly.

What to Expect from Graston Technique?

The Graston technique typically takes between 6-10 sessions to achieve the best results. Some people will need more sessions, and some will need fewer. The most common course of treatment is 12 sessions over four or five weeks. You will need to discuss your course of treatment and the number of sessions that you need with your practitioner. The best part about the Graston technique is that there are no medications needed, but you might experience some mild side effects from the treatment itself.

On the day of the treatment, you might be asked to perform activities that stimulate your cardiovascular system for five minutes before the treatment. In some cases, an ultrasound might be needed to help warm the area before the treatment begins.

When the treatment process begins, the chiropractor will use a stainless-steel instrument to rub the affected area. Massage techniques will be used to break the scar tissue. The average treatment period lasts between 3o to 60 seconds. You might experience some minor discomfort while the technique is being applied. It is usually not painful, but it can be slightly uncomfortable. Many times, the Graston technique is applied along with other chiropractic adjustments. The goal of this combination of techniques is to get you the most pain relief possible per session.

For some people, small red dots might appear after the session. These are typically treated by applying ice to the affected area for between 15 and 20 minutes. In some cases, certain exercises might be advised to help the injured tissues heal properly.

Can Everyone Use the Graston Technique?

The Graston technique can be used to treat many conditions in a wide variety of scenarios, but it is not recommended for people with conditions that include:

• High blood pressure
• Cancer
• Pregnancy
• Open wounds around the affected area
• Kidney disorders
• Hemophilia
• Osteomyelitis
• Use of blood-thinning medications

The Graston Technique might be the answer to your chronic or acute pain from a soft tissue injury. Contact DE Integrative and discuss this technique with your practitioner to see if it is right for you.