GRASTON TECHNIQUE

DASHA Chiropractor Providers treat elite athletes, patients, and various corporations with Graston to keep them injury free and functioning at their maximum level.

As part of the DASHA Chiropractic Method℠ DASHA® incorporates the Graston Technique® (GT) which can help speed recovery, decrease overall time of treatment, promote faster rehabilitation and recovery, reduce the need for anti-inflammatory medication, and allow you to engage in everyday activities and resolve problems that have become chronic.

What is the Graston Technique?

Chiropractic Physicians that are Graston Certified, trained, accredited and able to perform the procedures of the Graston Technique®. Graston Technique is an advanced form of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization which enables clinicians to effectively break down scar tissue and fascial restrictions.

This technique is performed with patented stainless steel instruments designed to effectively detect and other conditions such as:Repeat Stress Injuries (RSI)

• Cervical sprain/strain
• Lumbar sprain/strain
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Lateral Epicondylitis
• Medial Epicondylitis
• Rotator Cuff Tendinitis
• Achilles Tendinitis
• Fibromyalgia
• Scar Tissue
• Trigger Finger
• Shin Splints
• Patellofemoral Disorders

Stress injuries in the muscles, tendons and ligaments have a tendency to recur, especially if you constantly use muscles already in pain.  Often referred to as a Repeat Stress Injury, the pain can vary from irritating to debilitating and requires effective treatment to properly heal.

Could you explain what the Graston Technique does, exactly?
In short, this therapeutic technique breaks down scar tissue, stretches connective tissue, increases blood flow to and from the problem area, and increases healing activity at the cellular level.

But isn’t scar tissue just a natural aftermath of healing?

Scar tissue may be natural, but it also poses a number of problems. When scar tissue has built up around an injured area, many patients find their range of motion limited. Often, that compromised range of motion results in pain and decreased quality of life.

I hear instruments are used for this technique. Is it kind of like surgery then?

The Graston Technique instruments are not used for invasive purposes. Rather, their purpose is to aid the practitioner in locating the scar tissue and other restrictions in the problem areas. The stainless steel instruments are designed to “catch” in the abnormal tissue—thus alerting the clinician to the areas of restriction. Once those areas have been properly identified, Graston Technique instruments are then used to break up the scar tissue. Once broken up in this non-invasive manner, the scar tissue is simply reabsorbed by the patient’s body.

All this talk of instruments breaking up tissue sounds painful. Is it?

The Graston Technique can involve some minor discomfort. Patients are made as comfortable as possible by our highly trained DASHA® “independent client providers”. However, they may find the procedure itself to be uncomfortable—and they may also have some bruising afterwards.

So what exactly would a full Graston Technique session involve?

The treatment protocol begins with a short warm-up exercise. After the warm-up we perform the instrument-assisted Graston Technique treatment protocol. The final part of a session would involve some stretching, a set of strengthening exercises, and ice.

How often would I receive treatment if I opted for the Graston Technique?

DASHA® “independent client providers” provide patients with the standard recommended protocol for this technique: two to three treatments per week over a period of two to three weeks.