Clinic info:
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Graston Technique® Slide Show and information:
This form of manual therapy comprises soft tissue mobilization and incorporates the use of stainless-steel instruments. The goal of the therapy is to separate and break down the scar tissue, as well as stretch connective tissue and muscle fibers, increase range of motion and decrease pain.
The Graston Technique® uses the instruments with a specialized form of massage that is designed to help the practitioner identify areas of restriction and break up the scar tissue. The concave and convex stainless steel instruments are used to comb over and catch on injured fibrotic tissue.
Using a cross-friction massage, which involves brushing or rubbing against the grain of the scar tissue, the practitioner re-introduces small amounts of trauma to the affected area. This temporarily causes inflammation in the area, which in turn increases the rate and amount of blood flow in and around the area. The theory is that this process helps initiate and promote the healing process of the affected soft tissues.
Patients undergoing therapy with the Graston Technique® can expect the following:
- Prior to Graston Therapy, the tissue needs to be warmed. This may include in-office exercises and/or walking, running, cycling, swimming etc. before you come to my office.
- During your treatment with me, Low Level Laser, a hot pack and or soft-tissue work may first be applied to the injured area to further warm up the soft tissues to be worked on.
- I will utilize the appropriate Graston Technique® instruments to scan, then treat the affected area.
- Treatment time is usually 30 to 60 seconds over each area treated
- The typical course of treatments generally range from 6 to 10 visits
- After each treatment, the area is stretched and ice is applied
- It is common to experience some discomfort during the procedure and possibly some bruising. Ice application following the treatment may ease the discomfort. No medications are required in conjunction with the treatment although you will be instructed to ice the area at home.
- I will work with you to come up with an exercise, stretching and strengthening program that, in conjunction with the technique, will be necessary to rehabilitate the injured tissues and improve their healing time.
The Graston Technique® (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 Trigger Finger Shin Splints
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®:
Injury
Average
# of TreatmentsComplete
100%Excellent
90%+Good
80%+Fair
70%+Unchanged
less than 70%Success Rate
Achilles Tendinitis
8
4
73
15
0
8
92
Ankle Sprain
8
6
52
24
6
12
82
Plantar Fasciitis
7
2
44
24
11
19
70
Patella Femoral Syndrome
11
5
42
24
24
5
71
Cervical Pain
11
4
49
29
13
5
82
Low Back Pain
11
8
44
35
6
7
87
Fibromyalgia
10
6
31
44
6
13
81
Hip Pain
9
8
30
50
4
8
88
Hamstring Strain
8
12
58
12
12
6
82
ITB Tendinitis
7
0
64
18
9
9
82
Lat Epicondylitis
10
15
44
31
4
6
90
Med Epicondylitis
8
13
27
20
7
33
60
Rotator Cuff Tendinitis
9
14
40
38
3
5
92
Adhesive Capsulitis
15
0
18
55
18
9
73
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
8
5
60
21
9
5
86
Wrist Tendinitis
7
13
46
33
4
4
92
Scar Pain
9
0
46
8
38
8
54
* = Median # of treatments
Success Rate: Percentage of Resolution equates to attaining the patient/clinician goals of
1) increase in function
2) decrease in pain.
If you have any questions feel free to call or email me (503-866-9739 or info@optfunction.com)
Yours in Health,
Dr. Tim Irving DC, LMT, Nutritionist, CKTP
Optimum Function
Portland, OR
