Graston Technique®
Compassionate, Skilled Care When You Need It Most
The Graston Technique is a new treatment designed to help mobilize soft
tissue with the assistance of specially designed stainless steel instruments.
While this technique is by no means a replacement for the use of a clinician’s
hands, it can be used to effectively treat areas with scar tissue and
fascial restrictions that hinder a patient’s range of motion. If
you are interested in this evidence-based mobilization treatment, our
ProFysio Physical Therapy team is ready to help.
How Does it Work?
This new treatment is a form of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization
(IASTM), which was created specifically to treat patients with scar tissue,
fascial restrictions, soft tissue fibrosis, and chronic inflammation.
In conjunction with therapeutic exercise, the Graston Technique can be
used to detect and treat problem areas and fibrotic changes in the tissue.
Once these fibrotic changes are identified, the therapist can then use
specific tools to manually treat the area, restoring pain-free movement
and function.
The Benefits of the Graston Technique
Typically 75-90% of all conditions treated with the Graston Technique have
a positive outcome. This technique is ideal for patients with scar tissue,
chronic pain, limited range of motion, and chronic injuries. It can also
be a great way to prepare patients for surgery, as well as improve the
rehabilitation of post-surgical patients.
Graston Technique treatments aim to provide patients with the following benefits:
- Improve the accuracy and time spent in diagnostic treatment
- Faster and more substantial improvements
- Quick rehabilitation and recover from injuries
- Reduces or eliminates the need for anti-inflammatory medications
- Optimizes range of motion
What to Expect From a Graston Technique Treatment
Your trained physical therapist will begin a Graston Technique treatment
by using one of the stainless steel implements to comb over the afflicted
area. The instrument will typically identify problem areas, which are
recognized by the rougher, often bumpy texture that identifies fibrotic
tissue. These areas are areas of restriction, usually because of scar
tissue, chronic inflammation, or other concerns. Your therapist may switch
to different stainless steel tools to address different types of tissue,
using long smooth motions or fanning motions over the affected area. While
treatment should not be painful, it can be somewhat uncomfortable at times,
as with any other manual treatment, such as massage therapy.
The Graston Technique can be used to treat a variety of issues, particularly:
- Achilles tendinitis and tendinosis
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Neck sprain or strain
- Fibromyalgia
- Tennis elbow
- Back pain
- Golfer’s elbow
- Knee pain
- Plantar fasciitis
- Rotator Cuff Tendinitis
- Shoulder pain
- Scar tissue
- Shin splints
- Trigger finger
- Post-mastectomy scarring
- Cesarean scarring
If you are interested in the Graston Technique as a treatment option, our
physical therapists at ProFysio Physical Therapy are ready to help.
Contact ProFysio Physical Therapy
to schedule your appointment with one of our Aberdeen, NJ physical therapists.