TREATMENT SPOTLIGHT: Graston Technique
With chiropractic care, you receive treatment that is manual and holistic. When you come in with a pain symptom, your chiropractor understands the inner workings of your body's spine, musculoskeletal system, and nervous system. Another instrument-assisted chiropractic method is the Graston Technique.
The Graston Technique is a form of manual therapy known as soft-tissue instrument-assisted mobilization. It is one of a number of manual therapy approaches that uses instruments with a specialized form of massage/scraping the skin gently. By massaging and breaking up the scar tissue, the affected areas become less restricted.
By receiving the Graston technique, you will essentially:
• Rearrange the structure of the soft-tissue that is being treated
• Offer an optimal healing environment for the soft-tissue
• Break down the scar tissue and restrictions that were caused by trauma (can include tendons, ligaments, and strained muscles)
The instruments used in Graston technique have a rounded, concave-convex shape to them. The round edge of the instrument is rubbed and massaged over the affected area.
Graston Technique Goals
The general goals of the therapy are to reduce the patient's pain and increase function through a combination of:
• Breaking down the scar tissue and fascia restrictions that are usually associated with some form of trauma to the soft tissue (e.g., a strained muscle or a pulled ligament, tendon, or fascia).
• Reducing restrictions by stretching connective tissue in an attempt to rearrange the structure of the soft tissue being treated (e.g., muscle, fascia, tendons, ligaments).
Small amounts of trauma will necessarily be inflicted, and the patient may notice temporary inflammation, however, the intention is to encourage the treated area to promote healing and recovery. Application of the Graston technique provides quicker healing time, lower overall inflammation, and a decreased treatment time. There also appears to be a neurologic benefit to treating patients with the Graston Technique Instruments. This response is similar to that involved with other manual therapies.
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Graston Technique
Treatment Spolight