This method of manual therapy is very effective at treating both acute injuries and chronic conditions that result in inflammation or soft tissue fibrosis.
What is the Graston Technique?
The Graston Technique is a non-invasive, evidence-based, soft tissue mobilization technique used to detect and treat damaged soft tissue. It works by using highly specialized stainless steel tools to massage and break down areas of scar tissue and fascial restrictions previously unreachable without surgery.
This method of manual therapy is very effective at treating both acute injuries and chronic conditions that result in inflammation or soft tissue fibrosis. Patients who have undergone the treatment have experienced faster rehabilitation and have found it successful in restoring range of motion, normal function, and eliminating pain.
The technique was created by David Graston, an amateur athlete and machinist by trade. After incurring a debilitating knee injury and treating it with surgery and conventional therapy, he was frustrated with the lack of rehabilitation progress. After consulting several healthcare professionals, he decided to put his machining skills to work by handcrafting a collection of instruments to treat his soft tissue injury.
Experiencing resounding success treating his own knee, he collaborated with medical and research personnel to fully develop his technique and instruments, and the Graston Technique was born. Today, the Graston Technique is used by over 40,000 clinicians around the world and is a service we offer at our practice.
How does the Graston Technique work?
If you’ve ever gotten a therapeutic massage, the Graston Technique is not very different. The biggest difference is that there are specialized stainless steel tools involved.
There are 6 tools of particular shape and size, which look like oddly shaped butter knives with smooth, rounded edges, all carefully handcrafted to work certain parts of the body. The tools allow practitioners to apply pinpoint pressure, which cannot be done with the fingers alone.
A Graston Technique Specialist (GTS) such as Dr. Williams at Integrative Spine & Sports uses the Graston Technique tools to massage the patient’s muscles to both detect and treat adhesions in the muscles and tendons.
The Graston Technique uses a cross-friction massage, which involves rubbing the tools against the grain of the scar tissue. The GTS re-introduces small amounts of trauma to the affected area, which can cause temporary inflammation. In turn, this boosts the blood flow in and around the area, promoting healing, restoring function, and alleviating pain.
If you’ve ever gotten a therapeutic massage, the Graston Technique is not very different. The biggest difference is that there are specialized stainless steel tools involved.
There are 6 tools of particular shape and size, which look like oddly shaped butter knives with smooth, rounded edges, all carefully handcrafted to work certain parts of the body. The tools allow practitioners to apply pinpoint pressure, which cannot be done with the fingers alone.
A Graston Technique Specialist (GTS) such as Dr. Williams at Integrative Spine and Sports uses the Graston Technique tools to massage the patient’s muscles to both detect and treat adhesions in the muscles and tendons.
The Graston Technique uses a cross-friction massage, which involves rubbing the tools against the grain of the scar tissue. The GTS re-introduces small amounts of trauma to the affected area, which can cause temporary inflammation. In turn, this boosts the blood flow in and around the area, promoting healing, restoring function, and alleviating pain.
Who should get the Graston Technique?
If you’re experiencing anything similar to the conditions listed, we recommend consulting our providers right away at our offices in Upper West Side and Madison Ave offices. We welcome patients who need help with soft tissue conditions like the ones listed; click any of the links to learn more about each condition.
We often recommend the Graston Technique to many of our patients. Anyone can be susceptible to soft tissue conditions and could therefore benefit from the Graston Technique.
The Graston Technique is most commonly used to treat:
- Plantar fasciitis
- Iliotibial Band (ITB) Syndrome
- Tennis elbow
- Rotator cuff injuries
We may also recommend the Graston Technique as a minimally-invasive solution for any of the following conditions:
The Graston Technique Experts
At Integrative Spine & Sports, we use the Graston Technique as part of a comprehensive treatment plan for helping our patients heal from injury and we’re dedicated to integrating the latest advances in sports medicine and spine research with solid, traditional therapeutic techniques that have been scientifically proven to work.
As a full-service therapy and rehab facility specializing in sports medicine and spine rehabilitation, we can recommend the safest, most practical nonsurgical solution for your condition so you can feel pain-free and move better.
Our goal is to educate each patient while implementing a functional, finite treatment plan. A comprehensive approach to the Graston Technique — combining proper diagnosis, treatment and education — is the key to helping you stay pain-free.
Graston Technique FAQ’s
After a Graston Technique session, your Graston Technique Specialist (GST) will tell what the next steps are. It’s important to ask your GST directly since they will know what your needs and preferences are. However, if you’re still unsure, we recommend drinking plenty of water, do gentle exercises (as advised by your chiropractor), and get plenty of rest. Applying ice on the affected area may also ease discomfort.
Yes, the Graston Technique is safe. Some patients may experience discomfort during the treatment, but that is part of the process. To ensure your safety, make sure your medical practitioner is a certified Graston Technique Specialist (GST), such as our very own Dr. Williams.
Graston Technique therapy sessions often take about 10 minutes.
Depending on the severity of your condition, a good baseline is once or twice a week with a minimum of 48 hours between sessions. Your GST will know what frequency to recommend to you based on your individual treatment goals.