Graston Technique

What Is Graston Technique Therapy?

Graston Technique is designed to release tight “knots” in muscles and tension in the fascia (connective tissue between the skin and muscles). This technique is unique because it uses a set of specifically designed stainless steel instruments instead of the practitioner’s hands to achieve this release. It is commonly used by athletic trainers and physical therapists as well as chiropractors. Most professional sports teams use this technique to get their players back in the game as soon as possible.

Our chiropractors take the time to pinpoint where the target areas are depending on the individual’s symptoms and palpation of the muscles and fascia. A mineral-oil based lotion is used to protect the skin and allow the instruments to glide. The doctor then uses the instruments to provide specific strokes along the muscles and fascia. Sometimes the patient might be asked to take the joint through range of motion while doing the technique. The whole technique only takes about 10 minutes. It is quick but very efficient! Most people feel much looser even after the first treatment.

Side-effects may include soreness and some redness/bruising but these typically only last 24 hours and most people are not bothered by them. If you have very thin or sensitive skin, fibromyalgia, or are on blood thinners, we will usually not recommend this treatment.

 Benefits of Graston Technique Therapy

1. Pain Reduction
By reducing the tension in the muscles and fascia, pain is reduced locally and in surrounding structures. For example, doing Graston Technique on the upper back will loosen up your back but you may also notice less tension headaches because the muscles are no longer pulling on the base of your skull.

2. Increased Mobility
Patients will notice that they have greater range of motion even after just doing a few minutes of Graston Technique.

3. Increased Blood Flow
The friction of the tools causes the skin to turn pink because all of the blood is going there. Blood is needed for healing so this is a good thing!

Conditions Treated by Graston Technique Therapy

These are some of the most common things we use Graston Technique for at King Chiropractic & Laser:
• Neck and back pain
• Tension headaches
• Shoulder tendinitis
• Elbow tendinitis
• IT band syndrome
• Achilles tendinitis
• Plantar fasciitis 

Graston Therapy at King Chiropractic & Laser

At King Chiropractic & Laser, we believe in doing whatever works to get the best results for our patients. The Graston Technique has been a valuable tool to enhance our chiropractic therapies for many patients. Some other chiropractors even send their patients to us just for Graston Technique! Call now to see if this technique might be right for you- 978-710-5163.