GrastonTechnique for Faster Recovery and Better Movement
Ever go a little too hard in the gym and wake up the next morning moving like you aged 40 years overnight? Or maybe you have that one old injury that never fully went away and flares up every time you train, run, or even sit too long.
If that sounds familiar, Graston Technique might be exactly what your body needs.
What Is Graston Technique?
Graston Technique is a hands-on soft-tissue treatment that uses specially designed stainless-steel tools to assess and treat problem areas in muscles, tendons, and connective tissue. It falls under a category called instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization, which means using tools to locate and treat tight or damaged tissue rather than relying on hands alone.
known as instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization, which involves the use of tools to locate and treat tight or damaged tissue rather than relying on manual techniques. At Active Edge Spine & Sport, Graston is used to locate areas of scar tissue, adhesions, and chronic muscle tightness that can limit movement and cause ongoing pain.
The controlled pressure applied by the tools helps stimulate blood flow, the nervous system, and tissue repair, restoring normal movement patterns.
How Does Graston Work?
When soft tissue heals poorly after injury or repetitive strain, it can form dense, restricted areas that do not move the way they should. These restrictions can reduce flexibility, alter biomechanics, and keep pain lingering longer than it should.
Graston Technique helps break up these dysfunctional tissue patterns and triggers a local healing response. This enables the body to remodel tissue more effectively, particularly when combined with corrective exercises and movement retraining.
Research on instrument-assisted soft-tissue technique has shown improvements in pain levels, mobility, and function across a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions. While it is not a standalone cure, it can be a powerful component of a comprehensive rehabilitation plan.
Treating the symptom alone rarely fixes the issue. The key is identifying where movement is breaking down and why your shoulder is being overloaded.
Benefits of Graston Technique
Patients often notice several improvements when Graston is used appropriately as part of their care plan:
- Faster recovery by stimulating circulation and tissue repair
- Reduced pain and stiffness in stubborn or chronic problem areas
- Improved flexibility and joint mobility
- Better movement quality during training and daily activities
- Less dependence on pain medication
- Improved tolerance to exercise and rehab progressions
Thats why it's commonly used to treat issues like:
- Plantar fasciitis
- Achilles tendinopathy
- Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis)
- Trigger Points
- Rotator cuff tendinopathy
- IT band syndrome
- Neck Pain
- Back pain
- And more....
What to Expect During Treatment
Grastontreatments are targeted and efficient. You may experience some discomfort during the session, especially over tight or sensitive areas, but it should remain within a tolerable range. Mild soreness or temporary bruising may occur and is a normal response in some individuals.
For best results, Graston Technique is typically paired with exercise therapy, mobility work, and strength training. This ensures the tissue heals properly and the issue does not recur.
Want to try Graston Technique?
If pain, stiffness, or prior injuries are limiting your ability to train or live the way you want, Graston Technique may be a valuable part of your recovery.
At ActiveEdge Spine & Sport in Ottawa, we’ll create personalized treatment plans to help your body heal optimally. Reach out and book an appointment with us to get started.
