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The Graston Technique, originally developed by athletes, is changing the way clinicians — including athletic trainers, chiropractors, physical therapists, occupational therapists — and patients view treatment of acute and chronic soft tissue injuries. The Graston Technique is an innovative, patented form of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization that enables clinicians to effectively break down scar tissue and fascial restrictions. The Technique utilizes specially designed stainless steel instruments to specifically detect and effectively treat areas exhibiting soft tissue fibrosis or chronic inflammation.
The Graston Technique offers many advantages and benefits.
For the clinician:
- Provides improved diagnostic treatment
- Detects major and minor fibrotic changes
- Reduces manual stress; provides hand and joint conservation
- Increases patient satisfaction by achieving notably better outcomes
- Expands business and revenue opportunities
For the patient:
- Decreases overall time of treatment
- Fosters faster rehabilitation/recovery
- Reduces need for anti-inflammatory medication
- Resolves chronic conditions thought to be permanent
For employer, third party payer and the healthcare industry:
- Allows patients to remain on the job
- Reduces the need for splints, braces and job-site modifications
Contributes to reduction of labor and healthcare costs, direct and indirect The Graston Technique Instruments, much like a tuning fork, resonate in the clinician's hands allowing the clinician to isolate adhesions and restrictions, and treat them very precisely. Since the metal surface of the instruments does not compress as do the fat pads of the finger, deeper restrictions can be accessed and treated. When explaining the properties of the instruments, we often use the analogy of a stethoscope. Just as a stethoscope amplifies what the human ear can hear, so do the instruments increase significantly what the human hands can feel. Clinical Applications of the Patented GT Instruments 
"Using the Technique, I have been able to help patients — even those who have not succeeded with prior intervention — to achieve higher levels of function and pain relief."
—M. Terry Carey-Loghmani, MS PT, MTC
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The Graston Technique Instruments (GT Instruments), while enhancing the clinician’s ability to detect fascial adhesions and restrictions, have been clinically proven to achieve quicker and better outcomes in treating both acute and chronic conditions, including:
- Cervical sprain/strain
(neck pain)
- Lumbar sprain/strain
(back pain)
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
(wrist pain)
- Plantar Fasciitis
(foot pain)
- Lateral Epicondylitis
(tennis elbow)
- Medial Epicondylitis
(golfer’s elbow)
| - Rotator Cuff Tendinitis
(shoulder pain)
- Patellofemoral Disorders
(knee pain)
- Achilles Tendinitis
(ankle pain)
- Fibromyalgia
- Scar Tissue
- Shin Splints
- Trigger Finger
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Outcome Studies
TherapyCare Resources (TCR) analyzes the results of patient care by utilizing the Outcome Analysis System of the Graston Technique for Licensed Clinicians. The positive clinical results achieved thus far have led to additional research that explores patient responses to the Graston Technique. Patient outcome data that measures pain and function – including activities of daily living – continues to be gathered.
TherapyCare Resources Outcome Summary
This Outcome Chart is a compilation of information relating to a set of predetermined patient/clinician goals established at the onset of care and based on the average number of treatments using Graston Technique.
The Success Rate is based on attainment of an overall outcome, rated from good to complete, against those predetermined goals. The primary means of evaluating the success rate is based on decrease in pain and increase in function. Overall effectiveness is related to the common conditions listed below:
Injury
| Average
# of Treatments
| Complete
100%
| Excellent
90%+
| Good
80%+
| Fair
70%+
| Unchanged
less than 70%
| Success Rate
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| Achilles Tendinitis
| 8
| 4
| 73
| 15
| 0
| 8
| 92
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| Ankle Sprain
| 8
| 6
| 52
| 24
| 6
| 12
| 82
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| Plantar Fasciitis
| 7
| 2
| 44
| 24
| 11
| 19
| 70
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| Patella Femoral Syndrome
| 11
| 5
| 42
| 24
| 24
| 5
| 71
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| Cervical Pain
| 11
| 4
| 49
| 29
| 13
| 5
| 82
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| Low Back Pain
| 11
| 8
| 44
| 35
| 6
| 7
| 87
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| Fibromyalgia
| 10
| 6
| 31
| 44
| 6
| 13
| 81
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| Hip Pain
| 9
| 8
| 30
| 50
| 4
| 8
| 88
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| Hamstring Strain
| 8
| 12
| 58
| 12
| 12
| 6
| 82
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| ITB Tendinitis
| 7
| 0
| 64
| 18
| 9
| 9
| 82
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| Lat Epicondylitis
| 10
| 15
| 44
| 31
| 4
| 6
| 90
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| Med Epicondylitis
| 8
| 13
| 27
| 20
| 7
| 33
| 60
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| Rotator Cuff Tendinitis
| 9
| 14
| 40
| 38
| 3
| 5
| 92
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| Adhesive Capsulitis
| 15
| 0
| 18
| 55
| 18
| 9
| 73
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| Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
| 8
| 5
| 60
| 21
| 9
| 5
| 86
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| Wrist Tendinitis
| 7
| 13
| 46
| 33
| 4
| 4
| 92
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| Scar Pain
| 9
| 0
| 46
| 8
| 38
| 8
| 54
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* = Median # of treatments
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| Success Rate: Rate: Percentage of Resolution equates to attaining the patient/clinician goals of
1) increase in function, and 2) decrease in pain.
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