The Graston Technique is a form of instrumented assisted physical therapy. It is considered an effective treatment method for those suffering from various medical conditions that cause soft tissue pain or trauma. Physical therapists, occupational therapists, and massage therapists use it to identify and treat problems.
The method employs patented stainless steel tools and traditional physical therapy methods to help patients with chronic pain. If you suffer from soft tissue injuries, you may have wondered if the technique is for you.
What is the Graston Technique?
Breaking down scar tissue that is connected to abnormal soft tissue is the primary goal of the Graston Technique. Soft tissue injuries may include pulled ligaments or tendons. It may also include damage to the fascia. The fascia is a casing of connective tissue that encases and stabilizes every body’s organ, blood vessel, bone, and nerve.
What Causes Soft Tissue Injuries?
Overuse is the most common cause of soft tissue injuries. For example, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is caused by repeatedly putting pressure on the median nerve.
Soft tissue injuries can also be caused by:
- Slip and fall injuries
- Blunt force
- Twisting a part of your body
History of the Technique
This method was created by David Graston, an expert in Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization. Like so many innovative people, Graston was inspired by his own need to take action. Graston developed this technique to help heal his skiing injury.
How Does the Technique Work?
The technique employs six very dense stainless steel instruments to detect areas of injury and dysfunction in soft tissue. The tools are round in shape, and they will not hurt you.
It was always difficult for a therapist to assess abnormal soft tissue during physical therapy treatment. Such tissue can be hard to feel with the bare hand.
The feel of abnormal soft tissue texture is magnified when a therapist runs the steel instruments over the tissue on a person’s body. The therapist or clinician will feel the soft tissue abnormality much more easily when using these tools.
They will then try to treat the tissue using the instruments. They will massage and scrape the affected area with the tools. Although this may sound like it would hurt, it has about the same level of discomfort as traditional hand treatments for soft tissue injuries. The tools are ergonomically shaped for your comfort.
What Can You Expect from Treatment?
When you have a Graston treatment, you will begin by stretching out. The clinician will treat you with the tools for about ten minutes, and then you will do standard physical therapy exercises. You will go in for treatment about two times a week.
You may experience some inflammation after treatment. That inflammation may last about 24 to 48 hours.
Try the Graston Technique at Mid-County Physical Therapy
The Graston Technique is one of the quickest and most efficient physical therapy solutions for soft tissue treatment. If you’re dealing with chronic pain caused by injured ligaments or tendons, the Graston Technique might be the key to much-needed relief.
Schedule an appointment at Mid-County Physical Therapy today to meet with a professional physical therapist who can help you determine if the Graston Technique is right for you.