Soft tissue discomfort and restricted movement can make exercise and everyday tasks difficult. Prime Sports Performance & Therapy in Jupiter, Florida offers the Graston Technique as one option within rehabilitation. Its role depends on your assessment and how it supports your movement and activity goals.
What is the Graston Technique?
Graston is a form of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization. A clinician uses specialized tools to apply controlled contact to selected soft tissues. It is a hands-on treatment approach, not a substitute for evaluating the cause of pain.
It may be considered during care for:
- Muscle tightness or soft tissue restrictions affecting movement.
- Tendon-related symptoms within an assessed rehabilitation plan.
- Movement limitations following an injury.
- Difficulty progressing exercise because of discomfort or stiffness.
Not every restriction needs instrument-assisted treatment. Your symptoms, medical history and preferences should guide whether it is included.
What happens before treatment?
Your therapist assesses the affected area and the activities that are difficult. Relevant information includes previous injury or surgery, skin conditions, bleeding concerns and medications. The examination helps determine whether the technique is suitable and what movement goal it may support.
Discuss how your symptoms respond to exercise and previous hands-on care. The plan should establish a reason to use the technique and a way to review its value, such as checking a relevant movement afterward.
How treatment may fit into your plan
Target an assessed limitation
The clinician selects the area and application based on the findings. Pressure is adapted to your response; aggressive treatment is not automatically more effective.
Connect hands-on work with movement
The session may pair soft tissue work with appropriate stretching or exercise. The goal is to make any change in comfort or movement useful during active rehabilitation.
Review progress beyond the session
What you can do between appointments matters. Strength, activity tolerance and the response to your exercise plan help determine whether treatment is moving toward your goals.
Choosing an approach to soft tissue care
Graston sits within the broader range of manual therapy options. At Prime, it can be considered alongside physical therapy exercises rather than treated as a complete rehabilitation program by itself.
For example, someone receiving care for heel pain may also need attention to foot and ankle movement, strength and time spent on their feet. The overall plan should address those demands.
Common questions about Graston
Does the technique have to cause bruising?
Bruising is not the goal or a measure of success. Tell your clinician about discomfort or skin changes so the application can be reviewed.
Does it remove all scar tissue?
No. Treatment does not guarantee the removal of scar tissue. The goal is to address relevant symptoms and movement limitations within rehabilitation.
Will I still need to exercise?
Active rehabilitation may remain important for strength and function. Your therapist can explain how any hands-on treatment relates to your exercise plan.
How can I find out whether it suits me?
Request an assessment at Prime, located at 550 Heritage Drive, Suite 204, Jupiter, FL 33458.