What is the Graston Technique®? Does it work?
ACP_7220
Our patients affectionately refer to the Graston Technique® instruments as "butter knives!" It's a treatment they hate to love, but the results speak for themselves. Many famous athletes swear by the technique including Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps.
Does it work?
Historically, The Graston Technique® has had positive outcomes in 75-90% of all conditions treated. It is equally effective on restoring function to acute and chronic injuries, and pre- and post-surgical patient.
320px-GT-Instruments_400pixelswide
How do the instruments work?
In the healing process, our body attempts to repair muscles, tendons and ligaments with “scar tissue,” much like a scar that forms on the skin when you have scraped your knee. The Graston Technique® (originally developed by athletes) is a form of soft tissue mobilization using six stainless steel instruments to glide along a patient’s muscles, tendons or ligaments to detect and break up this scar tissue as well as fascial restrictions and adhesions which tend to be weaker and less flexible than undamaged tissue. It is not meant to replace a clinician’s hands, but to complement them by substantially improving the ability to detect and treat dysfunction.
Does it hurt?
If there is a large amount of scar tissue, there can be minor discomfort while the clinician breaks it up, but this is part of the healing process.
What is Graston used to treat?
Graston Technique® has been clinically proven to achieve quicker and better outcomes in treating both acute and chronic conditions including:
Achilles Tendinitis/osis (ankle pain)
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (wrist pain)
Cervical Sprain/Strain (neck pain)
Fibromyalgia
Lateral Epicondylitis/osis (tennis elbow)
Lumbar Sprain/Strain (back pain)
Medial Epicondylitis/osis (golfer's elbow)
Patellofemoral Disorders (knee pain)
Plantar Fasciitis/osis (foot pain)
Rotator Cuff Tendinitis/osis (shoulder pain)
Scar Tissue
Shin Splints
Trigger Finger
Women’s Health (post-mastectomy and Caesarean scarring)
Who can do it?
Only clinicians who have been trained and accredited in the Graston Technique® Basic course are qualified to obtain the Graston Technique® instruments and apply the technique to treat patients
Success!
Last week we discharged a patient who had been suffering from chronic neck pain after a car accident five years ago. After only four sessions utilizing the Graston Technique®, she had complete relief and could not believe the results. She said she could actually feel the scar tissue being broken up and began craving the twice weekly treatments.
More FAQs
The Graston Technique® website does a good job of answering some other FAQs
GTonBackweb