How the Graston Technique Benefits Athletes of All Ages
It’s no secret that range of motion is essential to physical activity. If you aren’t able to move well, you simply aren’t able to enjoy the activities you love. Sadly, many runners and triathletes experience a decrease in their performance due to conditions such as knee pain, shoulder pain, scar tissue, and more.
That’s where the Graston Technique becomes an important part of physical recovery. As one of the few centers in Bend that offers this kind of treatment, we’ve put together a short guide to help you understand its overall benefits for athletes of all ages.
Understanding the Graston Technique
It is important to understand what the Graston Technique entails before you can see its benefits for patients who enjoy engaging in an active lifestyle. Essentially, the technique is a special form of chiropractic care that utilizes six different surgical stainless-steel instruments. Each comes with its own unique shape and all are heavy in weight. When used properly, a trained chiropractor can feel vibrations in the tool when he or she comes across a problem area in the muscle, such as scarring or an adhesion. This provides immediate feedback to the practitioner and gives them an opportunity to determine where to work for maximum patient benefit.
The Graston Technique and Restriction in Range of Movement
For athletes, the Graston Technique is a phenomenal way to improve range of motion. It also greatly shortens recovery time. Why? This method is ideal for anything that causes a restriction in movement including scar tissue, adhesions, muscle spasms, and other related issues.
During a session, the process causes an improvement in blood flow and tissue temperature while also stretching connective tissue. It also increases cellular activity and breaks down collagen fibers. The end result is a smoother and stronger muscle better suited to injury recovery and increased movement. For avid athletes, this often means the difference between getting back to the activities they enjoy most or several weeks of recovery downtime.
Common Conditions Treated with the Graston Technique
The Graston Technique is ideal for numerous types of injuries. A few of the most common conditions treated with this method include:
- Ankle Pain
- Wrist Pain
- Neck Pain
- Fibromyalgia-Related Pain
- Hamstring Injuries and Pain
- Hip Pain
- Tennis Elbow, Golfer’s Elbow, and Related Pain
- Back Pain
- Knee Pain
- Heel Pain
- Shoulder Pain
- Scar Tissue
The technique is also ideal for treating women’s health issues including post-mastectomy and cesarean scarring. Other conditions not in this list may also benefit from the Graston method.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Graston Technique is an optimal way for athletes of all ages to enjoy an increased range of motion, better circulation, and a decreased healing time. This non-invasive treatment takes only a few minutes and has the opportunity to help you heal more quickly and enjoy better sports performance in the long run.
Total Body Chiropractic and Massage is here to help you feel your best no matter what stage in life you’re experiencing. Please contact us today to schedule an appointment.