Graston Technique

The Graston Technique is a form of manual therapy known as Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization or IASTM for short.  This therapy is designed to help the practitioner identify areas of restriction and to break up scar tissue.  Other benefits of this therapy are reducing restrictions by stretching connective tissue to rearrange the structure of the soft tissue being treated (e.g., muscle, fascia, tendons, ligaments).  It also promotes a better healing environment for the injured soft tissue.

There also appears to be a neurologic benefit to applying the Graston Technique.  When a client is given manual or instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) therapy, certain nerve fibers are activated. Additionally, the body's position sense organs, such as mechanoreceptors and proprioceptors, seem to respond to these forms of treatment.

Most of the back is comprised of muscles, fascia, ligaments, and tendons. Injuries to these soft tissues play a significant role in the pain and dysfunction associated with back problems. While it may not sound like a serious injury, a simple back muscle strain or torn ligament in the back can cause excruciating pain and difficulty with movement.

The Graston Technique offers several potential advantages to the patient with such an injury:

  • Decreasing overall treatment time

  • Fostering faster rehabilitation/recovery

  • Reducing the need for anti-inflammatory medication

  • Resolving chronic conditions thought to be permanent

The treatment is used in conjunction with massage and can be done with cupping in the same session to achieve the best results.

Therapists that provide this service are:

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