Graston Technique is a method to resolve back pain. It is a manipulation technique that manipulates the spine to release pain-related structures and thus improve their function, mobility, and activity.
What Is This Therapy?
Graston Technique is related to chiropractic medicine, but the two have essential differences. The main difference is that Graston Technique is a tissue manipulation technique. The methods used by chiropractors are limited to schemes suitable for the requested procedure. Furthermore, chiropractic techniques are used only for the treatment and prevention of disease. The Graston Technique is used only to treat and prevent pain.
How Does It Work?
Bones connect muscles and other structures through tendons, ligaments, and joint capsules. If a bone has a problem, then the networks it connects with may have problems too. The Graston Technique is an assessment tool that utilizes a brushing roller against the skin to identify pain-related structures in the body. The goal is to provide relief from pain by placing sustained pressure on these areas while they are under tension.
Pain receptors in the muscle spindle can cause contraction of muscle fibers if irritated or overstimulated through direct or indirect contact with nerve fibers. It leads to the tightening of the muscle, making it painful and inflexible.
Type of Patients That Typically Receive This Form of Therapy
Athletes
Graston is beneficial for sports injuries and works well with any damage that results in pain or limited movement. It treats Tendonitis, tendinopathy, bursitis, constriction of joints, muscle or fascia tears or strain, postural imbalance, nerve compression syndromes, and scar tissue adhesions.
Office workers
It is also helpful for patients who sit all day and may have tight or stiff muscles that can cause pain.
Travelers
Graston Technique helps relieve pain from carpal tunnel syndrome, knee osteoarthritis, hip bursitis, and shoulder-pinched nerves. People with diabetes suffering from neuropathies caused by nerve compression are also advised to use the technique to help control their symptoms.
People injured at work
Graston Technique is also used on people who have experienced an injury at work and require rehabilitation to return to their previous role in the workplace.
Common Conditions It Can Treat
Tendonitis, tendinopathy, and bursitis
Graston Technique is used for chronic tendon injuries. It relieves pain and improves mobility by increasing joint range of motion (ROM) through stretching and strengthening the muscles’ connective tissue.
Constriction or muscle/stretch injuries
Graston Technique can help to regain normal movement by loosening a tight muscle for too long while it is still inflamed. The technique also includes stretches that can be done in various positions.
Postural imbalances
Graston Technique is all about restoring the body back to its natural position. It can be done through many stretching techniques.
Nerve compression syndromes
The Graston Technique helps to relax and stretch out a tight muscle/nerve by direct pressure, reducing the nerve’s sensitivity.
Scar tissue adhesions
The technique can help break up scar tissue adhesions in the muscles or around other tissues, like muscles and tendons.
The Benefits of Using This Therapy
The long-term costs of back pain in the workplace
The Graston Technique uses minimal equipment, is relatively inexpensive as a routine treatment, and is quick and simple to use. The patient can be out of pain within minutes. There are no side effects, and there are no drug interactions with this therapeutic modality.
The Graston Technique is also a non-invasive procedure that does not require anesthesia or sedation, so there are few risks involved in its use. Patients will not have to miss work while undergoing therapy.
The long-term costs of continued back pain in the workplace
Alternative therapy is not only more cost-efficient, but it also reduces absenteeism. This alternative treatment will greatly reduce direct and indirect costs of back pain in the workplace that are connected with long-term disability programs and workers’ compensation.
The long-term costs of continuing to live with pain
The Graston Technique is a non-invasive procedure that does not require anesthesia or sedation, so there are few risks involved in its use. Patients will not have to miss work while undergoing therapy.
A better quality of life
Once the pain and suffering have been wholly relieved, patients can return to living everyday life. This alternative therapy will significantly reduce direct and indirect costs of back pain in the workplace that are connected with long-term disability programs and workers’ compensation.
FAQs
What exactly is Graston Technique?
Graston Technique is a non-invasive, minimally invasive therapy that uses sustained pressure to treat pain and improve mobility. Like other therapeutic modalities, Graston Technique can be used to treat chronic and acute conditions. The main difference between this modality and others is that it provides more direct contact with the problem area.
What is the process like?
The Graston Technique involves a series of separate steps. The first step is a complete history and physical exam of the patient. Once this is complete, the therapist will choose which areas to treat depending on the patient’s needs. Next, they will proceed with treatment. It can include manual contact with a roller or blunt instrument while it is placed in direct pressure contact with an area of inflammation or pain over a painful area; these tissues are then held in tension for a period of time to allow for healing and tissue remodeling.
What is the purpose of the Graston Technique?
Joseph Graston developed this therapy for use in the treatment of back pain. The pain produced by this therapy is well known to cause nerve discomfort and reduced range of motion, which ultimately leads to muscle tightness and chronic pain. To treat these problems, a muscle or connective tissue is held in tension with a roller or blunt instrument while being gently compressed on its length. It produces local inflammation and causes granulation tissue formation at the injury site.
Will this therapy hurt?
The Technique is not painful. The patient will feel slight pain while holding a muscle in tiny contractions but will not be uncomfortable. It is very easy to accomplish and it only takes a few minutes to treat each area. This therapy can be done on many people suffering from different conditions without complications or side effects.
How long does it last?
The benefits of this therapy continue for some time after the treatment is completed. Typically 30 minutes of treatment lasts 3-4 months and shorter treatments are usually effective as well, lasting 1-2 weeks in duration.
How long did it take to heal fully?
Since no treatment is given during healing, the process cannot be measured with a standard time frame. However, as soon as the patient has been released from the Technique, all pain should lessen. The pain usually begins to improve within 1-3 days of treatment and can last for weeks or months, depending on the individual’s condition. The MRI produced following surgery can show if any scarring exists in the muscle or tendon tissue.
What are the risks involved in this therapy?
There are no known side effects associated with the Technique. There are, however, a few risks to consider. Some patients may have had previous sports or other injuries that can be affected by the processing of scar tissue during treatment. It can cause pain and inflammation in these areas, which must be addressed before treatment begins.
What precautions should be taken before and after this therapy?
Before beginning any back pain treatment, the patient must know their limits and how much activity they can do before re-injury occurs. It is the most important advice to remember before and after treatment. Know the pain threshold and do not exceed it. It is also essential that the patient follow all instructions given by the therapist.
Is it safe for me to work through this treatment?
No, it is not okay to work through this treatment. This therapy can be done with other treatments as necessary, but it should never be used as a substitute for surgery or any other invasive procedure. Many people will tell you that you can continue working through this therapy, but these people have had no education or training in this area, and they could be putting your health at risk.
The Technique is a non-invasive, minimally invasive therapy that uses sustained pressure to treat pain and improve mobility. Like other therapeutic modalities, Technique can be used to treat chronic and acute conditions. The main difference between this modality and others is that it provides more direct contact with the problem area.
