Graston Technique
Instrument-assisted soft tissue therapy designed to help address muscle tension, scar tissue, adhesions, and fascial restrictions.
See Graston Technique in Action
Watch the short video to see Graston Technique during an actual treatment session.
What Is Graston Technique?
The Graston Technique® is a modern, evidence-based form of soft tissue therapy that uses patented stainless-steel instruments to assist practitioners in detecting and treating areas of muscle tension, scar tissue, adhesions, and fascial restrictions.
Unlike traditional massage or manual therapy alone, Graston tools allow the therapist to feel and target restrictions beneath the skin more precisely.
When soft tissue becomes injured — whether through repetitive stress, direct trauma, surgery, or poor posture — the body responds by laying down scar tissue. While scar tissue is part of the natural healing process, excessive buildup can restrict normal movement, cause pain, and contribute to long-term dysfunction if not addressed.
The Graston Technique is designed to gently break up abnormal tissue, promote better alignment of collagen fibers during healing, and stimulate the local inflammatory response in a controlled way to support recovery.
What Happens During a Graston Session?
During a Graston session, the practitioner applies a specialized tool along the skin in a specific pattern. The tools vary in shape and size to adapt to different areas of the body, such as the spine, shoulders, elbows, knees, or ankles.
You may feel a slight “gritty” sensation where there are adhesions. Treatment usually involves slow, repetitive strokes combined with clinical judgment to determine the right amount of pressure.
After treatment, many patients experience changes in mobility and a gradual decrease in pain. It is often combined with therapeutic exercises, stretching, or joint mobilizations to support results and help reduce the risk of re-injury.
Conditions Commonly Treated With Graston Technique
- Chronic soft tissue injuries, such as Achilles tendinopathy or rotator cuff injuries
- Post-surgical scar tissue management
- Plantar fasciitis
- Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow
- Neck and low back pain related to soft tissue tension
- IT band syndrome
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Patellar tendinitis, also known as jumper's knee
Mild bruising, redness, or soreness after a session is common and considered a normal part of the healing response as the body works to remodel the tissue.
In summary, Graston Technique is not just about relieving pain temporarily — it aims to restore proper tissue function, improve range of motion, and prevent long-term movement problems.
Relevant Research & Clinical Evidence
- A recent randomized controlled trial published in Anaesthesia, Pain & Intensive Care in 2024 found that IASTM significantly improved pain and range of motion in patients with chronic low back pain compared to standard care.
- A 2016 study shows that Graston Technique helped athletes with chronic hamstring injuries by improving strength and reducing pain.
- Other studies, including a 2020 systematic review, suggest that Graston Therapy stimulates fibroblast activity, helping remodel collagen and supporting soft tissue healing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Learn more about what Graston Technique feels like, how it may be used, and who performs treatment.
