What is the Graston Technique?
Graston Technique (GT) is a method of instrument-assisted manual therapy that may help reduce chronic pain and inflammation in your soft tissues. This therapy uses precise tools and requires specialized training to perform.
GT uses specially designed stainless steel instruments that are shaped to treat particular areas of your body. NYPT’s expert medical staff uses these tools to apply a series of precise movements to your affected area. GT may help treat pain and inflammation associated with a host of different soft tissue problems.
How does GT work?
The theory behind GT involves introducing microtrauma to an area of excessive scar tissue to help facilitate the healing process. The GT tools and massage techniques create microtrauma in your soft tissues, which triggers an inflammatory response.
It may seem counterintuitive to heal by creating more damage, but unlike an injury or chronic inflammation, this microtrauma is completely controlled. The highly trained staff at NYPT can introduce just the right amount of microtrauma to enhance your body’s natural healing process without increasing damage.
Using GT tools allows your doctor to achieve a deeper level of soft tissue manipulation than they can by using their hands alone. This therapy may help decrease scarring and fibrosis in your soft tissues and is typically used alongside physical therapy and exercise.
What conditions can GT treat?
GT helps people recover from all kinds of chronic, acute, and post-surgical pain. Common conditions that respond to GT therapy include:
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Shoulder pain
- Achilles tendinitis
- Plantar fasciitis
- Shin splints
- Knee pain
- Back pain
- Tennis or golfer’s elbow
- Neck pain
- Trigger finger
- Scar tissue
- Fibromyalgia
What should I expect from a GT treatment?
First, you warm up with about five minutes of cardio exercise. Then, one of NYPT’s certified GT practitioners uses the specialized instruments to scan and treat your affected areas. They spend about 30-60 seconds on each treatment area.
Afterward, you do more stretching and strengthening exercises and may finish treatment with ice packs.
The specific amount of time and frequency of treatment depends on your unique condition, but most patients need one to two GT treatments per week over a span of four to five weeks.
If you’re looking for a complete pain management plan that incorporates alternative methods such as the Graston Technique, call NYPT Health & Rehab or book an appointment online today.
