Graston Technique® is an innovative, patented form of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization that enables clinicians to effectively break down scar tissue and fascial restrictions. The technique uses specially designed stainless steel instruments to detect and treat areas exhibiting soft tissue fibrosis or chronic inflammation.
Conditions Graston Technique Treats
- Neck pain, whiplash, and general sore neck
- Back pain
- Running injuries, Achilles pain, knee pain, ITB Syndrome, runner’s knee, and more
Originally developed by athletes, Graston Technique® is an interdisciplinary treatment used by more than 17,500 clinicians worldwide, including chiropractors, physical and occupational therapists, hand therapists, and athletic trainers. Our chiropractors at Lyn Lake Chiropractic consider Graston an excellent rehab tool in clinic.
Graston Technique® is used at some 1,880 outpatient facilities and 49 industrial sites, by more than 270 professional and amateur sports organizations, and is part of the curriculum at 57 colleges and universities.
Benefits for the Patient
- Decreases overall time of treatment
- Fosters faster rehabilitation and recovery
- Reduces need for anti-inflammatory medication
- Resolves chronic conditions thought to be permanent
How the Instruments Work
Six stainless steel instruments form the cornerstone of Graston Technique®. The curvilinear edge of each patented instrument combines with concave and convex shapes to mold to various contours of the body, allowing ease of treatment with minimal stress to the clinician’s hands and maximum tissue penetration.
The instruments resonate in the clinician’s hands much like a tuning fork, allowing precise isolation of adhesions and restrictions. Because the metal surface doesn’t compress the way finger pads do, deeper restrictions can be accessed and treated — similar to how a stethoscope amplifies what the human ear can hear.
“The Graston Technique® Instruments allow a deeper, more sensitive palpation and treatment of fibrotic restricted tissue.” — Warren I. Hammer, MS, DC, DABCO
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Graston Technique?
An instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization technique that uses specially designed stainless steel tools to detect and treat scar tissue, fascial restrictions, and chronic soft tissue inflammation.
What conditions is Graston Technique used for?
Neck pain, whiplash, back pain, and running-related injuries like Achilles pain, knee pain, ITB Syndrome, and runner’s knee.
Is Graston Technique painful?
Patients may feel some pressure or mild discomfort during treatment, similar to a deep-tissue massage, but the technique is designed to isolate specific restrictions precisely rather than cause broad discomfort.
How is Graston Technique different from regular massage?
Because the metal instruments don’t compress the way fingers do, clinicians can access and treat deeper tissue restrictions with more precision than manual massage alone.
Are Lyn Lake Chiropractic’s providers trained in Graston Technique?
Yes, our chiropractors use Graston Technique® as part of our rehabilitation and treatment toolkit.