As mentioned above, Graston Technique is a type of instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM). In short, this means that instruments are utilized to mobilize and affect tissues rather than just the therapists’ own hands. The Graston Technique was first imagined by an amateur athlete who designed a set of tools to help him heal a knee injury. After having success treating his own injury, this athlete sought the help of medical and research professionals to create and test the tools used in the Graston Technique today and went on to develop a series of educational opportunities to teach clinicians how to use these tools effectively in their own practices.

The tools used in the Graston Technique are specially designed stainless steel instruments used to address restrictions in the fascia and lesions in the soft tissue that may be contributing to musculoskeletal injuries and dysfunction. These instruments have special edges and bevels to maximize their effectiveness and can even be used by the therapist to assess the tissues themselves. The goal in using this technique is to combine it with individually prescribed therapeutic exercises to help reduce pain, restore normal range of motion and improve function.

WHAT ARE SOFT TISSUE AND FASCIA?

Soft tissues are found throughout the body and soft tissue is a term used to describe many different structures such as:

• Fat
• Nerves
• Ligaments
• Tendons
• Muscles
• Blood vessels
• Lymph tissues
• Connective tissues

As you can see, soft tissues play many different roles in the body depending on their type. Soft tissues such as connective tissue, tendons, ligaments and muscles are often targets of the Graston Technique as they are involved in movement and musculoskeletal function. Soft tissue dysfunction can develop due to injury, scarring, following surgery, as part of a medical condition or due to impairments in movement.

Fascia is a thin casing of connective tissue that courses through the body and encapsulates every organ, muscle, nerve, blood vessel and fiber. When first discovered, fascia was thought to simply be a support structure for the body. Over time, however, scientists have realized that fascia plays a much more important role in the structure and function of the body including the ways in which the body moves. Inflammation and trauma can affect the fascia causing pain and impeding movement both locally and further away in the body.

Scar tissue and other facial restrictions and soft tissue impairments can not only restrict movement but have larger effects on the nervous system. They alter sensory perception in the tissue which can induce a cycle of centralized pain in the body. In many of these cases the presence of pain does not actually signal the presence of injury but the nervous system becomes stuck in a cycle of perceived pain which then alters the body's movement and motor output. The use of the Graston instruments are intended to alter the abnormal sensory input and interrupt the pain cycle to allow the person to restore normal movement.

If you decide to work with a physical therapist to help correct your soft tissue issues, your entire treatment plan could consist of around 8-20+ different physical therapy sessions that will each last 60-90 minutes. Once you complete your customized physical therapy treatment plan, you will be able to continue to do the prescribed stretches and exercises utilized during your Graston PT sessions yet in the comfort of your own home.

WHAT CONDITIONS MIGHT BENEFIT FROM GRASTON TECHNIQUE?

Your therapist may opt to use the Graston instruments in areas where they feel the soft tissue or fascia are affected or restricted. While this is not a complete list, here are some examples of conditions that may benefit from the use of the Graston Technique:

• Tendonitis or tendinopathy- Examples: achilles tendonitis, rotator cuff tendinopathy, medial epicondylitis (golfer’s elbow), lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) Shin splints/medial tibial stress syndrome
• Cervicothoracic strain (neck strain)
• Lumbosacral strain (low back strain)
• Patellofemoral disorders (knee pain)
• Scar tissue after injury or surgery
• Post joint-replacement or other surgery
• Myofascial pain syndrome or Fibromyalgia
• Plantar fasciitis

HOW DO I KNOW GRASTON TECHNIQUE IS RIGHT FOR ME?

Since the Graston Technique is just one part of a comprehensive physical therapy treatment plan, you should discuss your interest in this technique when you meet with your therapist for the initial evaluation. At that time they can advise you on whether they feel you are a good candidate for this treatment technique and how it will fit into the larger treatment plan. If you are experiencing pain or difficulties moving, call our clinic today to learn how our physical therapists can help.