Do you have a muscle that just keeps getting sore, no matter how much you stretch and massage it? Maybe you suffered an injury a while back, and though you're mostly recovered, the area still gets sore and tight when you work out. A special technique known as the Graston technique, which is often utilized by chiropractors, can help alleviate your soreness.
What Does The Graston Technique Do?
The Graston technique is a method of breaking up scar tissue within a muscle. Specifically, it helps break adhesions between the muscle fibers and the connective tissue that encapsulates the muscle. These adhesions are the cause of a lot of the ongoing soreness that comes up with injuries and muscle strains.
How Is The Graston Technique Performed?
Administering the Graston technique involves using a flat, stainless steel instrument to the area where the pain is originating. The instrument is then firmly stroked across the skin in the direction perpendicular to the muscle fibers. While the technique does cause some immediate discomfort, it also yields results quite quickly. Many patients feel better immediately after the technique is administered, and that relief becomes even more pronounced after several sessions. How many times you will need to be treated will depend on the extent of your injury.
Where Can The Graston Technique Be Used?
The Graston technique can be used for most any muscle in the body. It is often used to treat plantar fasciitis, runner's knee, shin splints, and other overuse injuries. It is also quite effective for treating larger muscle strains, such as those in the calves and thighs. Your chiropractor can use smaller or larger instruments based on the size of the area that needs to be treated.
How Can You Find a Practitioner Who Uses The Graston Technique?
Many chiropractors who specialize in sports medicine offer this type of treatment, though general chiropractors may not. It is becoming increasingly common, so you're likely to see it advertised on a list of services if a chiropractor does, in fact, offer it. Some physical therapists and sports massage specialists may also use the Graston technique, and they are also likely to do a good job of it, thanks to their extensive knowledge of musculoskeletal system.
Chiropractors don't just adjust backs. They also help heal joint and muscle issues throughout the body. If you're tired of living with the pain of an injury, visit a sports chiropractor like Grand Chiropractic and ask about the Graston Technique. It's a safe and natural alternative to popping pain pills and hoping the pain will eventually subside on its own.
Share5 January 2016
After suffering with debilitating back pain for years, I decided it might be a good idea to finally meet with a doctor. I didn't want to beat around the bush with the issue, so I headed straight to a specialist who I thought could help me: a chiropractor. Even though it was my first appointment, my doctor was incredible and got to work right away on my problem. He took images of my spine and then talked with me about the results. I found out that several of my vertebrae were eroding, which was putting a lot of pressure on my spinal column. He made adjustments that made me feel a lot better right away. Check out this blog to learn more about how a chiropractor could help you.