If you have a condition that affects your skeletal muscle or connective tissue due to a chronic condition or sports injury, the Graston Technique can help improve your movement and reduce your pain. Typically, the Graston Technique is used along with other stretching and strengthening methods.
What is the Graston Technique?
Your physical therapist will use six stainless steel tools to give your muscles and tendons a cross-friction (against the grain) massage. The goal is to pinpoint:
- Adhesions — scar tissue
- Trigger points — tender or sensitive areas in your muscle
- Soft tissue restrictions — areas of limited movement and flexibility from overuse or strain
Your therapist will then rub the affected area with the same tools to help break down scar tissue and stretch connective fibers. This process aggravates the affected area and causes inflammation. Though it sounds counterproductive, this process stimulates the desired outcome. Inflammation increases blood flow, and increased blood flow promotes healing.
What Conditions Can the Graston Technique Treat?
The Graston Technique can be used to treat a variety of acute and chronic conditions, such as:
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Tendonitis
- Sprains/strains
- Fibromyalgia
- Tennis/Golfer’s Elbow
- Plantar fasciitis
- Scar tissue/post-surgical scars
- Shin splints
- Trigger finger
- Women's health (post-mastectomy and Caesarean scarring)
What to Expect for the Graston Technique Treatment
You will likely be scheduled for treatments two to three times per week for about eight weeks. For chronic conditions, your therapist may recommend a longer course of treatment. Typically, you can expect to feel improvement after your first four treatments.
You may experience minor discomfort during the procedure, although it's usually more comfortable than your therapist probing your pain points with his hands. There may also be some bruising and soreness afterward. This will only last a few days and your therapist is trained to adjust treatment intensity to minimize your symptoms over the course of your treatments.
Get Started
Talk to your doctor about a referral to physical therapy. With the referral, we can schedule you for an evaluation right away and together take the first steps towards improvement or recovery.
Dry Needling
Dry needling (sometimes called trigger point release) is an effective treatment if you have muscle tension and spasms, chronic pain or need rehabilitation from injury. Spartanburg Regional’s licensed physical therapists may use this specialized therapy to help you return to your regular activities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Dry Needling?
Dry needling is a therapy technique where thin, empty needles are inserted into muscle tissue in the area where you have pain (your trigger point). These needles are so thin it’s likely you won’t feel them penetrate your skin. As your therapist moves the needles into your muscle, the desired response is a twitch you may find uncomfortable. This local twitch response, or LTR, is the therapy’s goal. It helps release the tension of the taut muscle and, along with it, your pain.
Dry needling usually requires more than one session. The number of sessions depends on your specific needs. The technique is usually used in conjunction with other methods as part of your overall treatment plan.
What Symptoms Can Dry Needling Treat?
You may benefit from dry needling if you have any of the following symptoms or conditions:
- Chronic pain
- Muscle strains
- Arthritis
- Limited mobility or range of motion
- Bursitis
- Tendonitis
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Sciatica
How is Dry Needling Different than Acupuncture?
Acupuncture and dry needling use the same tool (monofilament needles) but are different treatments. Dry needling is much more specific in its selection and search for trigger points. It is used to treat a medical condition in conjunction with physical therapy. Acupuncture is performed along meridians with the purpose of altering energy.
How Do I Prepare for My Dry Needling Session?
Preparing for your therapy sessions is easy. Simply eat a light meal a few hours before your scheduled session and wear loose-fitting clothes that will allow your therapist to easily reach your trigger points.
What Can I Expect After My Dry Needling Session?
After your session you may:
- Be sore around your trigger points
- Have some bruising
- Feel tired
These are common side effects and will only last a day or two. To help minimize these effects, you can try the following:
- Drink lots of water
- Treat sore areas and bruises with heat or ice
- Soak in a hot bath
- Massage the area
- Take any prescribed medicines
- Limit your intake of alcohol
