If you have either chronic tightness or tendon injuries such as tennis elbow, Graston Technique is likely an important part of the solution to your pain. Graston is considered the gold standard of a type of treatment known as Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Manipulation (IASTM). Treatment involves use of a hand-held metal instrument that the doctor uses to treat an area of soft tissue with the goal of relieving fascial restrictions and adhesions. Graston Technique, specifically, uses tools made of a special metal alloy that feels comfortable to patients and can achieve faster results. It is especially useful for injuries to tendons and for regions of your body that that may have become fibrotic due to scar tissue.
Dr. Jaffer Barlas uses Advanced methods of Graston Technique to treat chronic injuries and tightness and sections of the body that become fibrotic with either small or large amounts of scar tissue.
As a person’s body tries to repair following an injury (which could involve either a traumatic accident or constant microtrauma caused by everyday activities, in this case) collagen can be laid down in a disorganized manner forming scar tissue that restricts movement. Graston Technique increases the pliability of scar tissue and increases blood flow to treated areas to mediate healing and often dramatically improve range of motion and function. This is why Graston is now widely accepted as highly effective treatment for a number of conditions.
Common issues treated with Graston Technique include tendinosis, such as tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow, or biceps tendinosis of the shoulder (which often causes nagging or sharp anterior shoulder pain), as well as back and neck pain, or ankle and knee injuries. Side effects can include surface-level redness, which typically resolves within 1-2 days or less.
Dr. Jaffer Barlas effectively uses Advanced Graston Technique methods, along with Active Release Technique® and chiropractic adjustments, to comprehensively treat injuries and restore optimal function.
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