Graston Technique: Scar Tissue and Fascial Tissue Restriction Break Down

For many, limited or painful movement due to scar tissue is a painful fact of life. After an injury or surgery occurs that affects the soft tissues in the body, scar tissue can form around the area as it heals. Due to the difference in the fiber make-up of scar tissue, there can be restriction in the muscles, tendons, and fascial tissue function. The Graston Technique is an effective treatment to reduce scar tissue and fascial tissue restriction, helping improve healing and movement.

Why Does Scar Tissue Create Restriction?

When soft tissues are damaged, the fibers must heal, reconnecting the tissue. Whether it is in tendons, ligaments or muscles, these tissues generally have fiber patterns that allow them to function in a certain way. When these tissues are stretched, torn, or cut and must heal, scar tissue can form. Scar tissue will not necessarily mimic the fiber pattern of normal tissue; instead, it will grow fibers in a haphazard manner that can restrict movement of the tissue. This can affect how the tendons, ligaments, muscles and fascial tissue operate after an injury, causing stiffness, pain and limited motion.

What Is the Graston Technique?

When scar tissue or fascial tissue is causes pain or restriction of movement, one effective option for physical therapists, chiropractors, and other clinicians is the Graston Technique. This patented treatment uses stainless steel instruments that are designed specifically to help identify and breakdown tissue restrictions. These treatments can help reduce the scar tissue that is inhibiting soft tissue movement and offer patient’s improved function.

The Graston Technique works by helping to find restrictive tissue and then uses therapeutic strategies to breakdown scar tissue, allowing it to be reabsorbed by the body. The specialized instruments and techniques are used to stretch muscle fibers and break down collagen in the scar tissue. These techniques heat the skin, increase circulation to the area, increase histamine response and create change in the chronic muscle pattern. When used with warm up exercises, stretching, strengthening and ice, patients can notice improvements with two weeks of treatment, with most treatments lasting for 4-5 weeks.

The Graston Technique has had positive results for patients suffering from limited movement or pain due to scar tissue and fascial tissue restriction, with 75-90% of patients having positive outcomes. It is used for a wide variety of injuries, including sports injuries, pre/post-surgical applications and other accidents that cause soft tissue restrictions. The technique is based on the concept of cross fiber massage and is used in many major medical facilities as well as throughout the professional sports industry.

At Stratton Spine and Sport, we offer the Graston Technique as one of our therapeutic services for our clients. We believe in utilizing all the latest options to help our patients receive the fastest rehabilitation possible with the best results. To learn more about the Graston Technique and other services we offer, call our office to schedule a consultation today.