Originally developed by athletes, 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.

It has been shown to successfully treat all soft tissue conditions, whether chronic, acute, or post-surgical. Conditions commonly treated by Graston include: carpal tunnel syndrome, rotator cuff tendonitis, achilles tendonitis, plantar fascitis, tennis elbow, shin splits, iliotibial band syndrome, and headaches.

As a result of its unique ability to detect and break up scar tissus, the Graston Technique offers numerous advantages to the patient:

• Decreases overall time of treatment
• Fosters faster rehabilitation/recovery
• Reduces need for anti-inflammatory medication
• Resolves chronic conditions thought to be permanent
• Reflex changes in the chronic muscle holding pattern
• Increases the rate and amount of blood flow to and from the area.

Cupping is a manual therapy technique performed by practitioners for treatment of skin, soft tissue and muscles. Cupping is used to soften tight muscles and muscle attachments, loosen adhesions, and lift connective tissue. Cupping therapy can be modified to deliver a spectrum of techniques, from deep tissue release to lymphatic drainage. It works to separate fused tissue layers by loosening adhesions, thereby allowing muscles to function more smoothly and efficiently by eliminating unhealthy tissue waste and debris. Cupping techniques can promote increased blood flow to body tissue and can stimulate the lymphatic system. Swelling and edema that is associated with injury and inflammation can hold toxins and fluid. Cupping can open the lymphatic system to help drain excess fluid and help the body reabsorb toxins through the lymphatic system. Cupping therapy is a versatile technique that compliments additional manual therapy techniques and can be incorporated into a patient’s treatment plan. 

Stretching is an activity that can both help and hinder progress. When a muscle is tight, the doctor must determine why it is tight. Muscles can be tight for several reasons:

Pain: If something is painful, muscles tighten to take pressure off the painful structure. This is a protective mechanism.

1. Scar tissue: Scar tissue acts like glue in a muscle. The section of the muscle containing scar tissue will not stretch as much as it should, limiting muscle length.
2. Nerve entrapment: If scar tissue forms next to a nerve, the nerve can become ‘glued’ to the surrounding muscles. Nerves don’t stretch; they should floss in and around muscles. When they stick to muscles, the surrounding muscles will contract to protect the nerve from being stretched.
3. Fatigue: When muscles become fatigued, they tighten.
4. Trigger points: Bands or nodules of irritated muscle fibers that can cause the surrounding muscles to tighten as well.

In each of these cases, stretching would not be an appropriate form of treatment. If stretching were used, improvement would either be delayed or prevented.

Stretching is beneficial in other circumstances. For example, after a nerve entrapment has been released, stretching is used to glide the nerve through the muscles, preventing scar tissue from forming again.