The Graston Technique is also referred to as a form of Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Manual Therapy. This form of manual therapy is centred around the use of scraping instruments to massage and scrap the skin gently. When done correctly, this technique helps to break up scar tissue and address areas of restriction. More and more, the Graston Technique is being utilized across fields like chiropractic work, osteopathy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and athletic training.
What is Graston Massage Used For?
As a sort of IASTM therapy, the Graston Massage has 3 designated purposes. The first is to break down scar tissue which is usually the result of trauma to the soft tissue. This can happen with a strained muscle, pulled ligament, damaged tendon, or elsewhere. Secondly, the Graston Massage seeks to stretch connective tissue in an effort to treat the structure of the soft tissue, resulting in a re-arranging of the muscle, fascia, tendons, and/or ligaments. Thirdly and lastly, Graston is a method to promote healing in the body particularly as it applies to injured soft tissue.
What are the Benefits to Graston Massage?
Graston Massage is most commonly used for back pain as it’s known to have a significant role across pain and dysfunction in the body. If you have difficulty moving or are living with excruciating back pain, this IASTM therapy may be something to try. Using a gua sha scraping tool, some of the benefits to a patient with an injury are likely to include a decrease in injury treatment time, faster rehabilitation and recovery, a lesser need for anti-inflammatory medication, and a resolution to some chronic conditions which may have been diagnosed as permanent.
Graston Massage builds itself around the use of stainless steel gua sha tools. This tool is easily applied to the body, contains no heavy metals or toxic chemicals. In the hands of an experienced practitioner, controlled motions are used to reduce inflammation while tapping into the body’s healing mechanisms.
Does Graston Massage Work?
For some, Graston Massage or IASTM Therapy has proven to be very effective at resolving pain. Cross-friction massage techniques may not be the most comfortable – especially for first-timers – however you get used to it. Taking the gua sha tool, you gently brush and rub against the grain which results in re-introducing a small amount of trauma, controlled of course, to the area. Depending on where you need the treatment, a patient presenting with pain in one place may also have Graston Massage performed in related areas along the kinetic chain including in the hip flexors, abdomen, hamstrings, shoulders, and other parts of the body.
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