Graston Technique is a form of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization used by chiropractors and physical therapists to detect and break down scar tissue and fascial restrictions. Graston Technique involves stainless-steel tools to scrape and massage muscles, tendons. And ligaments, helping reduce pain and improve movement after injuries or overuse.
Category
Soft tissue therapy
Used for
Muscle, tendon. And ligament injuries
Common confusion
Often mistaken for deep tissue massage. But uses tools instead of hands
Also called
Graston Therapy, Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM)
Often discussed with
Work Injury Treatment, Auto Accident Injury Doctor

Graston Technique helps heal soft tissue injuries. Soft tissue means muscles, tendons. And ligaments. These parts connect and support your body.
Related glossary terms: Soft Tissue Therapy, Myofascial Release, Muscle Strain.
Injuries can happen from sports, accidents. Or overuse. They often form scar tissue or adhesions. These can cause pain, stiffness. And less movement.
Graston Technique finds and breaks down these adhesions. This helps your body work normally again.
This method started in the 1990s. It works like massage but uses special tools. These tools are made of stainless steel.
They have smooth edges. This lets experts treat areas with care. The tools find small changes in tissue.
This makes it easier to spot problems. Hands alone might miss these issues.
In a session, a trained expert uses the tools. They press them on your skin. The tools scrape or massage the sore spot.
They move in the direction of muscles or tendons. This breaks up scar tissue. Scar tissue can limit movement and cause pain.
It also boosts blood flow. This helps healing and cuts swelling.
Treatment lasts 5 to 10 minutes per area. It depends on how bad the injury is. You might feel mild discomfort.
It feels like a deep massage. After, you may see redness or small bruises. These fade in a few days.
Most people need more than one session. You'll do stretches and exercises too. These help you heal faster.
The tools come in different shapes and sizes. Small ones work for hands or feet. Big ones fit backs or thighs.
The expert picks the right tool. They think about where and how you're hurt. This makes treatment work well and feel okay.
Graston Technique helps without surgery. It avoids strong medicines too. It breaks up scar tissue and adhesions.
This lets you move normally again. It cuts pain too. You can go back to daily tasks or sports faster.
This helps athletes and workers who need their bodies to perform.
Another plus is it works with other treatments. Chiropractors use it with spine fixes. This eases tight muscles that hurt joints.
Physical therapists mix it with stretches or exercises. This speeds up healing. It's great for rehab and stopping injuries.
Graston Technique helps with soft tissue injuries. These cause pain, stiffness. Or less movement. Common problems include muscle strains.
It treats ligament sprains and tendonitis. Tendonitis is swelling in tendons. Examples are tennis elbow or Achilles tendonitis.
It also helps with repetitive strain injuries. Carpal tunnel syndrome is one. It works on scars after surgery too.
Athletes like this method. It treats injuries from running, swimming. Or lifting. These injuries often have tiny muscle tears.
These tears cause swelling and scar tissue. Graston Technique fixes these early. This stops worse injuries later.
In Brentwood Estates, TN, chiropractors use this method. They treat injuries from car accidents or work. It helps with sports injuries too.
It's good for people who don't want surgery. It avoids long-term medicine use. It helps healing and movement naturally.
Myofascial release uses hands to stretch and release tight fascia. While Graston Technique uses metal tools to scrape and break up scar tissue.
Deep tissue massage uses hands to apply pressure to muscles. While Graston Technique uses tools to target specific adhesions and scar tissue.
Graston Technique is not a standalone cure but works best when integrated into a broader rehabilitation plan. Combining it with stretching, strengthening. And other therapies enhances recovery and prevents re-injury.
After a car accident, a patient in Brentwood Estates, TN, developed tightness and pain in their shoulder. Their chiropractor used Graston Technique to break up scar tissue in the shoulder muscles, improving range of motion. Combined with stretching exercises, the patient regained full function within a few weeks.
Soft Tissue Therapy is a hands-on treatment method that targets muscles, tendons, ligaments. And fascia to reduce pain, improve mobility. And promote healing. It includes techniques like massage, stretching. And pressure to break up scar tissue, ease tension. And restore normal function without surgery or medication.
Myofascial Release is a hands-on therapy that gently stretches and loosens the fascia, the thin layer of connective tissue surrounding muscles, bones. And organs. This technique helps reduce pain, improve movement. And restore function by releasing tightness or restrictions in the fascia caused by injury, inflammation. Or poor posture.
Muscle Strain is an injury that occurs when muscle fibers stretch or tear due to overuse, sudden force. Or improper movement. It often causes pain, swelling. And limited movement in the affected area. Muscle strains range from mild soreness to severe tears requiring medical attention. Common in sports, work.
Ligament Sprain is an injury to a ligament—the tough, fibrous tissue that connects bones to other bones at joints—caused by sudden stretching beyond its normal range. This overstretching tears fibers, leading to pain, swelling, bruising. And reduced joint stability. Sprains commonly occur in ankles, knees, wrists. And fingers during physical activity or accidents.
Inflammation is the body’s natural response to injury, infection. Or irritation, designed to protect and heal damaged tissues. It involves increased blood flow, white blood cells. And chemical signals that cause redness, warmth, swelling. Or pain. While acute inflammation is temporary and helpful, chronic inflammation can contribute to long-term health problems like arthritis or back pain.
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