Graston
Graston Technique®
Changing the way soft tissue injuries are treated
Graston Technique® is an interdisciplinary treatment used by nearly 5,000 clinicians—including athletic trainers, chiropractors, hand therapists, occupational and physical therapists. GT is utilized at some 550 out-patient facilities and industrial on-sites, by more than 90 professional and amateur sports organizations, and is part of the curriculum at 20 respected colleges and universities.
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| For the patient: |
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| For employers and the healthcare industry: |
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| “The Graston Technique® Instruments allow a deeper, more sensitive palpation and treatment of fibrotic restricted tissue.”—Warren I. Hammer, MS, DC, DABCO |  |
| Six stainless steel instruments form the cornerstone of Graston Technique® |
The curvilinear edge of the patented Graston Technique® Instruments combines with their concave/convex shapes to mold the instruments to various contours of the body. This design allows for ease of treatment, minimal stress to the clinician’s hands and maximum tissue penetration.
The Graston Technique® Instruments, much like a tuning fork, resonate in the clinician’s hands allowing the clinician to isolate adhesions and restrictions, and treat them very precisely. Since the metal surface of the instruments does not compress as do the fat pads of the finger, deeper restrictions can be accessed and treated. When explaining the properties of the instruments, we often use the analogy of a stethoscope. Just as a stethoscope amplifies what the human ear can hear, so do the instruments increase significantly what the human hands can feel.
| What is the Graston Technique®? | ||
| A. | The Graston Technique® incorporates a patented form of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization that enables clinicians to effectively detect and treat scar tissue and restrictions that affect normal function.The Technique:
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| Why is scar tissue a problem? | ||
| A. | Scar tissue limits range of motion, and in many instances causes pain, which prevents the patient from functioning as he or she did before the injury. | |
| How is scar tissue different from other tissue? | ||
| A. | When viewed under a microscope, normal tissue can take a couple of different fashions: dense, regular elongated fibers running in the same direction, such as tendons and ligaments; or dense, irregular and loose with fibers running in multiple directions. In either instance, when tissue is damaged it will heal in a haphazard pattern–or scarring–that results in a restricted range of motion and, very often, pain. | |
| How are the instruments used? | ||
| A. | The Graston Technique® instruments are used to enhance the clinician’s ability to detect adhesions, scar tissue or restrictions in the affected areas. Skilled clinicians use the stainless steel instruments to comb over and “catch” on fibrotic tissue, which immediately identifies the areas of restriction. Once the tissue has been identified, the instruments are used to break up the scar tissue so it can be absorbed by the body. | |
| Is the treatment painful? | ||
| A. | It is common to experience minor discomfort during the procedure and some bruising afterwards. This is a normal response and part of the healing process. | |
| Is Graston Technique® used alone? | ||
| A. | No. Whether the injury is work or non-work related, the Graston Technique® Protocol is the same. Our protocol includes a brief warm-up exercise, Graston Technique® treatment, followed by stretching, strengthening and ice. | |
| What is the frequency of treatment? | ||
| A. | Patients usually receive two treatments per week over 4-6 weeks. Most patients have a positive response by the 3rd to 4th treatment. | |
| Are there any benefits to the treatment? | ||
| A. | Yes. Most patients are not disabled and continue to perform their regular functions at home or work. Graston Technique® gives back the control that is often lost when injury strikes. | |
| Is Graston Technique® something new? | ||
| A. | The concept of cross fiber massage is not new. Graston Technique® is grounded in the works of English orthopedist James Cyriax. The use of our specially designed instruments and protocol is new.Graston Technique® has become standard protocol in universities and hospital-based outpatient facilities, industrial on-site treatment settings such as Indiana University and the University of Michigan. The technique is also being used at industrial settings and by NBA, NHL and Major League Baseball trainers. | |
| What kind of results does Graston Technique® produce? | ||
| A. | Historically, the Graston Technique® has resolved 87% or more of all conditions treated. It is equally effective on restoring function to acute and chronic injuries, and pre and post surgical patients. | |
| Can anyone obtain the instruments? | ||
| A. | Only clinicians who have been trained and accredited in the Graston Technique® Basic course are qualified to obtain the Graston Technique® instruments and apply the technique to treat patients. The course is offered either on-site or at trainings offered throughout the year at a variety of locations. | |
Clinical Applications of the
Patented GT Instruments
The Graston Technique® (GT) Instruments, while enhancing the clinician’s ability to detect fascial adhesions and restrictions, have been clinically proven to achieve quicker and better outcomes in treating both acute and chronic conditions, including:
| Cervical sprain/strain (neck pain) | Lumbar sprain/strain (back pain) |
| Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (wrist pain) | Plantar Fasciitis (foot pain) |
| Lateral Epicondylitis (tennis elbow) | Medial Epicondylitis (golfer’s elbow) |
| Rotator Cuff Tendinitis (shoulder pain) | Patellofemoral Disorders (knee pain) |
| Achilles Tendinitis (ankle pain) | Fibromyalgia |
| Scar Tissue | Trigger Finger |
| Shin Splints | Post-Surgical Scar Reduction |
Outcome Studies
TherapyCare Resources (TCR) has analyzed the results of patient care by utilizing the outcome analysis system of the Graston Technique® for licensed clinicians. The positive clinical results achieved thus far have led to additional research that explores patient responses to the Graston Technique®. Patient outcome data that measures pain and function — including activities of daily living — continues to be gathered.
This Outcome Chart is a compilation of information relating to a set of predetermined patient/clinician goals established at the onset of care and based on the average number of treatments using Graston Technique®.
The Success Rate is based on attainment of an overall outcome, rated from good to complete, against those predetermined goals. The primary means of evaluating the success rate is based on decrease in pain and increase in function. Overall effectiveness is related to the common conditions listed below:
| Injury | Average# of Treatments | Complete100% | Excellent90%+ | Good80%+ | Fair70%+ | Unchangedless than 70% | Success Rate |
| Achilles Tendinitis | 8 | 4 | 73 | 15 | 0 | 8 | 92 |
| Ankle Sprain | 8 | 6 | 52 | 24 | 6 | 12 | 82 |
| Plantar Fasciitis | 7 | 2 | 44 | 24 | 11 | 19 | 70 |
| Patella Femoral Syndrome | 11 | 5 | 42 | 24 | 24 | 5 | 71 |
| Cervical Pain | 11 | 4 | 49 | 29 | 13 | 5 | 82 |
| Low Back Pain | 11 | 8 | 44 | 35 | 6 | 7 | 87 |
| Fibromyalgia | 10 | 6 | 31 | 44 | 6 | 13 | 81 |
| Hip Pain | 9 | 8 | 30 | 50 | 4 | 8 | 88 |
| Hamstring Strain | 8 | 12 | 58 | 12 | 12 | 6 | 82 |
| ITB Tendinitis | 7 | 0 | 64 | 18 | 9 | 9 | 82 |
| Lat Epicondylitis | 10 | 15 | 44 | 31 | 4 | 6 | 90 |
| Med Epicondylitis | 8 | 13 | 27 | 20 | 7 | 33 | 60 |
| Rotator Cuff Tendinitis | 9 | 14 | 40 | 38 | 3 | 5 | 92 |
| Adhesive Capsulitis | 15 | 0 | 18 | 55 | 18 | 9 | 73 |
| Carpal Tunnel Syndrome | 8 | 5 | 60 | 21 | 9 | 5 | 86 |
| Wrist Tendinitis | 7 | 13 | 46 | 33 | 4 | 4 | 92 |
| Scar Pain | 9 | 0 | 46 | 8 | 38 | 8 | 54 |
| * = Median # of treatments | |||||||
| Success Rate: Percentage of Resolution equates to attaining the patient/clinician goals of | |||||||
| 1) increase in function | |||||||
| 2) decrease in pain. | |||||||
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