The 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.
The Graston Technique Instruments (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:
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The Graston Technique Instruments, much like a tuning fork, resonate in the clinician's hands allowing the clinician to isolate adhesions and restrictions, and treat them very precisely. Since the metal surface of the instruments does not compress as do the fat pads of the finger, deeper restrictions can be accessed and treated. When explaining the properties of the instruments, we often use the analogy of a stethoscope. Just as a stethoscope amplifies what the human ear can hear, so do the instruments increase significantly what the human hands can feel.
The Graston Technique, researched at Ball Memorial Hospital and Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana, was conceived by an athlete who suffered a debilitating knee injury while water skiing.
Frustrated at the lack of rehabilitation progress following surgery and conventional therapy, he applied his professional background in machining to create the initial Graston Technique instruments to treat his soft tissue injury.
In 1994, TherapyCare Resources Inc., parent company of Graston Technique, opened an out-patient clinic in Indianapolis, where outcome data was gathered on a wide range of chronic and acute injuries. Five years later, the company turned all of its attention to teaching and training clinicians and research on the technique.
Today, there are more than 1500 clinicians--including athletic trainers, chiropractors and therapists--who use the Graston Technique protocol to effectively detect-treat-resolve a myriad of connective soft tissue dysfunctions. This growing list of practitioners and clinics comprises what now is known as the GT Provider Network.
Graston Technique is part of the curriculum at four colleges/universities and is actively engaged in research projects at Texas Back Institute, New York Chiropractic College and St. Vincent's Hospital in Indianapolis. The company has five U.S. patents on the instruments and technique method. Michael I. Arnolt, TCR president, is a founder of the 11-year-old company .