Everything You Need to Know About the Graston Technique

The Graston Technique softly massages or scrapes the skin using specialized stainless steel tools, helping our clinicians to identify areas of restriction and break up scar tissue or fascial adhesions. Unlike conventional massage methods, this technique provides a precise, controlled approach to target and manipulate the fascial system—the connective tissue network that surrounds muscles, ligaments, and tendons.

Our team employs the Graston Technique to treat a wide variety of musculoskeletal conditions, including post-surgical scars, acute and chronic soft tissue injuries, and conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome, cervical sprain/strain, fibromyalgia, lumbar sprain/strain, tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, and plantar fasciitis. It is also useful for treating chronic pain syndromes, muscle strains and sprains, tendinitis and bursitis, sciatica, sports injuries, and scar tissue.

By causing microtrauma to the fascial tissue, the Graston Technique aims to activate the body’s natural inflammatory response. By boosting cellular activity, maximizing tissue regeneration, and improving blood flow to the injured area, this aids in the healing process.

While the effectiveness of the Graston Technique is still being studied, many of our patients and clinicians have reported positive effects. But it’s crucial to remember that not everyone will benefit from this treatment. It is not recommended for patients with healing or bleeding disorders, those taking anticoagulants, or for areas with varicose veins, open wounds, or implants.

At The Spine and Health Center, our priority is your health and well-being. Before starting any new treatment, we always recommend consulting with one of our experienced healthcare providers. They can help determine if the Graston Technique, or any other treatment, is the right approach for you.

Traditional massage therapy employs a hands-on technique to manipulate muscles and other soft tissues of the body. Therapists apply pressure on the body’s soft tissues and muscles using their hands, fingers, forearms, elbows, or even feet. This treatment helps ease tense muscles, lower stress levels, increase blood flow, and enhance general health. Because it is gentler and focuses on superficial muscle tissues, traditional massage therapy is suitable for most individuals, including pregnant women and those with sensitive skin.

On the other hand, the Graston Technique uses unique stainless steel instruments to help us identify and treat areas with soft tissue fibrosis or chronic inflammation. The Graston Technique aims to restore range of motion and eliminate pain by addressing fascial restrictions and scar tissue more deeply than traditional massage. This therapy typically produces longer-lasting improvements in tissue function and mobility, although it may not be suitable for individuals with certain medical conditions or skin sensitivities.

It is possible to combine the Graston Technique with other therapies, such as therapeutic exercises and joint mobilization. Meanwhile, traditional massage therapy can serve as a standalone treatment or be integrated into broader wellness or rehabilitation programs. We are aware that each patient’s unique requirements and preferences will determine which of these two approaches is best for them, and we are committed to providing personalized, patient-centered care for optimal results.

This technique has demonstrated considerable success in a variety of clinical scenarios, though the success rate can depend on numerous factors such as the underlying condition, its severity, patient compliance, and the expertise of the therapist.

For example, in cases of mild to moderate conditions, such as chronic Achilles tendinopathy often seen in runners, the Graston Technique has been shown to reduce pain by 50% and increase function by 57%, as per a study published in the Journal of Athletic Training.

Patients can significantly influence their outcomes by adhering to home exercises and lifestyle modifications prescribed by the therapist. This is particularly critical for conditions like plantar fasciitis, where treatment success rates have ranged from 60% to as high as 90% in reducing pain and improving function.

The success of the Graston Technique can also be greatly impacted by the therapist’s training and experience. Our team comprises highly trained and experienced practitioners who have successfully utilized this technique to treat various conditions.

Clinical trials have reported varying success rates for the Graston Technique, depending on the condition being treated. In the case of plantar fasciitis, the Graston Technique reduced pain and improved function in 75-90% of cases, according to a review in the Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association.

The Graston Technique has also proven effective in improving the mobility of post-surgical scar tissue in 87% of the cases, as per a study published in the International Journal of Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork.

Sessions using the Graston Technique at our center can vary in duration. A session could last anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes, depending on the size of the area being treated, the severity of the condition, and the patient’s response. The actual application of the Graston Technique usually takes around 10 to 15 minutes of this session.

Our highly qualified professionals apply regulated pressure and friction to the afflicted area using sophisticated stainless steel tools. Depending on the patient’s comfort level and the particular ailment being treated, they modify the extent and severity of the treatment. They may also incorporate other techniques like soft tissue mobilization and stretching to enhance the effectiveness of the treatment.

During a Graston Technique session, the therapist may use heat to warm up the tissue before starting the technique and then apply ice or other modalities afterwards to soothe the tissue and reduce any inflammation. The remaining session time is typically dedicated to a warm-up, cool-down, and other treatment modalities.

The number of Graston Technique sessions a patient may need at our center can vary. Typically, our patients receive 1-3 sessions per week for several weeks. However, based on the patient’s progress and response to the treatment, this number may be adjusted. Some conditions can be treated in as few as two sessions, while chronic or severe conditions could require several weeks or months of treatment.

Our therapists will determine the exact duration and number of sessions based on your specific needs and condition. For more information, contact us today or book an appointment online now! We have convenient locations to serve you in Closter NJ, Montvale NJ, and Park Ridge, NJ. We serve patients from Montvale NJ, Closter NJ, Park Ridge NJ, Woodcliff Lake NJ, Hackensack NJ, Dumont NJ, Alpine NJ, Englewood NJ, Westwood NJ, Hillsdale NJ, and the surrounding areas.