The Graston Technique - An Innovative Approach In Physical Therapy Treatment

5 min read
27 December 2022

When we suffer from a strained muscle or a pulled ligament, a tendon, or trauma may be caused to the affected soft tissues, which may result in scar tissue and fascia restrictions. 

The Graston technique is a type of manual therapy that uses six stainless steel instruments with a specialized form of massage. The instruments used in the Graston technique have rounded edges, which are used to scan and find out the injured tissues and treat them. 

In short, this is an IASTM technique; to elaborate the abbreviation, it is called Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization, which uses tools to treat or identify the movement dysfunction caused by alteration of the structures of soft tissues. The protocols and tools used in the technique currently make it different from other existing IASTM forms. Unlike other wooden or ceramic tools, myofascial restrictions are easily identified by this stainless steel having beveled edges. 

Graston Technique Treatment is the most effective treatment for back pain, knee injury, etc. This technique is widely utilized in several professional Olympic and collegiate sports therapy programs. It is a self-designed stainless steel instrument having round and concave edges. It also has a convex edge. However, the edges are not sharp. With the help of tools and devices, the experts or physical therapists scan over and detect the cause or the affected areas of the Fibrotic tissue. 

Physical Therapists can reduce patients' pain or discomfort and boost function by using the Graston Technique to break down scar tissue and fascia limitations produced by soft tissue injuries.  

For patients suffering back pain as the result of soft tissue damage, the potential advantages of the Graston Technique include the following:

  • Reduction in treatment time
  • Faster rehabilitation
  • Reduced need for anti-inflammatory medicine
  • In some instances, the Graston technique treatment helps treat chronic conditions.

Inflammation aids the healing process by boosting the rate and amount of blood flow to the injured tissues. Small amounts of trauma are reintroduced to the wounded area as part of the therapy. This process can occasionally result in temporary irritation. 

Graston Technique Treatment Protocol

The treatment begins with a cardiovascular warm-up session before implementing the Graston technique! The cardiovascular warm-up aims to increase the blood flow to the treated region and creates an atmosphere for healing. The reason is simple: there is a need for recovery of the pain after an accident but isn't it essential to know the cause? Of Course, it is to prevent future injuries.

Following the prior need, Graston massage to the affected area is carried. On utilizing one of the appropriate tools out of the six in Graston treatment therapy, at most 8 minutes per body part in the massage. 

Then we land on stretching, strengthening with the required number of repetitions. That's truly needed to keep you going. Is it painful after light stretching and resisting? Cold therapy is the final touch-up to this technique to cool down the area of pain! So relax a lot now.

It is considered the most effective with the implementation of modalities and exercises. To elaborate on the effectiveness, it can enhance the range of motions and flexibility of the soft tissues and collagen growth. Leave that to the Physical Therapy practitioners. If you aren't scared, they use these tools to turn and twist the adhesion between the skin, thus inducing microtrauma to yield an inflammatory response for the environment of recovery and healing.

To name a few of the chronic injuries that can be healed includes lingering scar tissue, fibromyalgia, carpal tunnel, tennis, or golfer's elbow can be treated. When we talk about other wounds and the presence of this, they can still be treated.

And when the deal is about acute injuries such as car accident neck pain, tingling fingers and arm, hip pain, ankle pain, recovery after a fall accident.

Now that we know what can be treated, the goal of the treatment solely lies in reducing pain.

Every individual has varying healing capacities and different pain areas, and using tools makes a recovery faster. But a treatment of 3-4 sessions can make you normal.

Why leave the negligible side effects you notice if everything is clear? So, the noticeable changes during or after the treatment are:

  • Bruises in the area of treatment.
  • A feeling of discomfort after the massage.
  • The let-out of connective tissues.

They are negligible over the relief of pain, aren't they? But if bruises are a big deal, then converse with the physical therapist about it.

Conclusion

Graston technique treatment licenses are only provided to some doctors. It is only provided to a few specialized physical therapists or professionals who have obtained Graston technique treatment training. If the matter is about soft tissue, the Gaston technique is the most effective treatment. However, it is essential to follow proper guidelines to see better results. 

 

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Justin Gray 2
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