In a recent article from Details, American swimmer and record-breaking Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps cited Graston Technique as one of the methods employed by his trainer to help him recover from training and ease muscle tightness. Coming from such a high-performing athlete, this is quite a recommendation for Graston. In fact, more and more athletes are experiencing the benefits of the non-surgical Graston Technique to enhance game time performance and keep injuries to a minimum.
Sports are a big part of life in this country, from Little League to the Major League, and unfortunately many talented young athletes have had promising careers cut short by injuries, surgeries, and overuse, all of which cause scar tissue to form. Scar tissue is an important part of the healing process, but if allowed to build up after a major trauma like surgery or as a result of overtraining, it can inhibit stretching and contribute to loss of flexibility, decreased range of motion, pain, and reinjury.
Why? Scar tissue is tougher, weaker, and more fibrous than soft tissue (muscles, tendons, and ligaments), and although it is vital to the healing process in that it binds the damaged fibers together and provides protection during the initial stages of healing, if left untreated, it can build up into a mass of tough, weak tissue. Because properly building muscle requires that the muscle be both contracted and stretched, a surrounding mass of tough scar tissue can prevent muscles from lengthening and building. Scar tissue can also prevent joints from functioning properly and deform surrounding tissues. Because it is weaker than soft tissue, scar tissue can contribute to reinjury when an athlete returns to training. The moral to the story: Athletic performance is definitely inhibited by a buildup of scar tissue.
This is where Graston Technique comes in. Graston is an extremely efficient means of breaking down scar tissue, and the patented stainless steel Graston tools may be used to break down scar tissue, stretch connective tissue, increase blood flow to and from the problem area, and promote healing activity.
Here’s how it works. The stainless steel Graston tools allow the practitioner to apply deep pressure to the treatment area. Deep work, according to livestrong.com, can “release toxins, increase blood circulation, and decrease inflammation” in a way that non-deep work cannot. They also allow the practitioner to locate the hard adhesions of scar tissue surrounding the soft issue. Once located, the practitioner uses the first Graston tool (which has a beveled edge) to break up the scar tissue and the second (which has a blade edge) to pull the broken up scar tissue away from the surrounding area. After fully stretching the area, the whole process should be repeated on a regular basis until all the scar tissue is effectively broken down. Please note that you shouldn’t be surprised to have some redness, bruising, or inflammation around the treated area. They can be a temporary effect of the technique, which increases blood flow to the area to further promote detoxification and healing. Just be sure to drink plenty of water before and after your session!
If you are an athlete and feeling pain around the site of a previous injury, don’t assume that the injury has not yet healed. In fact, the pain you are feeling may actually be the result of scar tissue buildup in the area. Visit your local doctor or chiropractor to find out you are suffering from a buildup of scar tissue, in which case ongoing sessions of Graston Technique may be just what the doctor ordered. As many athletes have already found, Graston Technique effectively decreases muscle tightness, keeps tissue supple, enhances range of motion and flexibility, decreases pain, and prevents injury, and as an athlete, injury is to to be avoided at all costs. Enhance your peak performance potential with Graston Technique today.
DASHA wellness & spa is a luxury lifestyle brand and New York City-based wellness center created to offer a truly holistic approach to wellness. To learn more, visit dashawellness.com.
