Dr. Richard Powers, DC
- Certified Graston Practitioner -
Chronic pain is epidemic in our society today, and interferes with our ability to perform activities, both at home and on the job. In short, pain and muscle weakness prevents us from enjoying life to its fullest.
The development of the Graston Myofascial Treatment procedure has helped many people feel and function better, enabling them to resume their normal daily activities.
What is a Graston Myofascial Treatment?
The Graston Treatment is an innovative procedure that helps alleviate pain while restoring muscle strength. This is accomplished by breaking down scar tissue and fascial restrictions in muscle, tendons, and ligaments.
During a Graston Treatment, the doctor uses patented stainless steel instruments designed to specifically detect and effectively treat areas exhibiting soft tissue fibrosis or chronic inflammation. The instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization is combined with targeted stretching and strengthening exercises.
This unique procedure was originally developed by athletes, and is grounded in the cross-fiber concept developed by the English orthopedist, Dr. James Cyriax.
Graston Treatment is an advancement in soft tissue mobilization that allows the doctor to detect and treat soft tissue in a precise and specific manner.
Why does Graston Treatment work, even when other treatments have not?
Severe, recurring, or chronic pain is often a sign of underlying soft tissue adhesions that restrict muscle contraction, and entrap blood vessels and nerve fibers.
Graston Treatments bring relief and support healing by releasing these restrictions, and coupled with corrective stretching and strengthening exercises, allows the tissues to move freely and heal properly.
The key to the Graston Treatments lies in its ability to detect and treat myofascial restrictions in a way that ordinary hand-techniques and massage therapy cannot.
Who can benefit from the Graston Treatment?
The short answer is: Most people with chronic musculoskeletal pain, including those who haven't responded sufficiently from other treatment procedures, may benefit.
Specifically, the Graston Treatment has been used successfully to relieve acute and chronic pain in:
- Shoulder pain ... rotator cuff tendinitis
- Foot pain ... plantar fascitis
- Tennis elbow ... lateral epicondylitis
- Wrist pain ... carpal tunnel syndrome
- Post-surgical scar tissue
- Neck pain ... cervical sprain/strain
- Low back pain ... lumbar sprain/strain
- Ankle pain ... achilles tendonitis
- Knee pain ... patellofemoral disorders
- Thigh pain ... hamstring strain
Other conditions helped with Graston Treatment:
- Adhesive capsulitis
- Trigger finger
- Ankle sprain/weak ankles
- Hamstring strain
- Fibromyalgia
What results does Graston produce?
Historically, the Graston Technique has resolved 87% or more of all conditions treated, including conditions thought to be permanent.
It is equally effective on restoring function to acute and chronic injuries, as well as pre-surgical and post-surgical patients.
Response to treatment varies from individual to individual, and depends on both severity, as well as how long the problem has existed. Generally, most patients have a positive response by the 3rd or 4th treatment.
Tried and Proven
Graston Technique has become standard protocol in hospitals, professional sport teams, universities, and corporate settings, such as:
Hospitals/Clinics:
Bloomington Hospital, Riverview Hospital,
ValleyCare Health System
Professional Teams:
St. Louis Cardinals, New York Knicks,
Indianapolis Colts, Miami Heat
Universities:
Yale University, University of Illinois, Indiana
University, University of Michigan
Corporations:
ITT Carrier Corporation, Navistar, SuperValu
Suburu-Isuzu Automotive
Maximum benefit can only be expected when both aspects of treatment are implemented consistently.
Part 1: In-Office Treatment
Treatments take about 20 minutes, and we utilize a three-part approach to help achieve the best results in the shortest period of time:
- Warming up the area - to be treated with some gentle exercises, as tolerated
- Low-level "cold" Laser Therapy - is applied to accelerate the healing and repair process
- Graston Treatment - soft tissue myofascial mobilization is used to break up soft tissue restrictions and adhesions
Part 2: At-Home Exercises
Instruction on home stretching and strengthening exercises are given at the initial visit. With a minimal time commitment, results and recovery are greatly enhanced with these exercises.
Stretching exercises lengthens shortened structures (to prevent adhesions from reforming)
Strengthening exercises further break up scar tissue and reshape muscle fascia
Frequency of Treatment:
Since results are cumulative, a series of treatments is scheduled over a period of several weeks in order to achieve maximum results.
The best results have been found to occur when treatments are performed twice a week, over a period of about 3-6 weeks (6-12 treatments), although some people respond sooner.
Does Graston Treatment hurt?
Although the treatment involves breaking up scar tissue and adhesions, the amount of pressure used during treatment is applied according to patient comfort.
How much does the Graston Treatment cost?
The fee for a Graston Treatment, inclusive of the Low Level "Cold" Laser Therapy, is $70 per area.
(Note: In some instances a chiropractic adjustment is also recommended and performed in conjunction with these treatment procedures. If this is the case, an additional fee for the chiropractic adjustment may be incurred.)