Graston Technique

Scar Tissue (and/or adhesions) prevent fluid movement of muscles, tendons, ligaments and surrounding tissue. This causes the sensation of “feeling tight” in an area of the body. Your body is made of many layers of tissue. (skin, fat, muscle, fascia, ligments/tendons, bones, etc) These layers are, for the most part, designed to slide freely against each other and within their own layers. Scar tissue can adhere to these layers… impairing your function (range of motion) and producing pain. Tendons and ligaments also are surrounded with fascia and can be affected in the same manner. Fascial restrictions ( scar tissue and adhesions) left untreated can prevent fluid movement.

Graston Technique breaks down and releases the scar tissue. The technique utilizes stainless steel instruments, uniquely shaped to treat different areas of the body. The weight and design of the various instruments allow clinicians to effectively treat deep tissue dysfunctions, while preventing the stress associated with manual therapy on their own extremities. Graston Technique although non-invasive, allows the clinician to get as deep into the tissue as necessary to invoke change, yet be sensitive to patient tolerance. This is accomplished by increasing the clinician’s ability to detect these adhesions. This occurs because the instrument conducts the vibration of the adhesion through it’s hard surface to the clinician’s hand. When the instruments contact the adhesions, the patient and clinician will notice a distinct feeling of going over a speed bump, or a gravel-like grittiness.

Reducing the adhesions in the tissue allow it to return to its normal functioning state. In muscular cases, you feel that the tightened muscles have loosened up and visibly see an increase in your ability to stretch the muscle further.

Graston Technique is used diagnostically, as well as to treat. Injuries will be treated at the site of the pain or restriction; however, clinicians will scan the surrounding areas – follow the kinetic chain, to find if there is an underlying cause for the injury. When scar tissue is contacted, the stainless steel instrument will reverberate that feeling through to the examiner’s hand, much like a tuning fork. It will be felt simultatneously by the clinician and the patient, and specifically identifies the areas to treat.

Graston technique is used with a combination of therapies in our office to provide patient focused care designed to alleviate pain, but also repair the area of complaint.

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