Vaida Wellness offers both The Graston Technique and Kinesio-taping in conjunction with other services such as chiropractic care and physical therapy. Read on to learn more about these two valuable therapies.
The Graston Technique
The Graston Technique is a form of manual soft-tissue therapy It is one of a number of manual therapy approaches that uses specialized instruments with a specific form of massage that is designed to help a practitioner identify areas of restriction and attempt to break up scar tissue.
The general goals of incorporating Graston are to reduce a patient’s pain and increase function through a combination of:
- Breaking down scar tissue, adhesions, and fascia restrictions that are usually associated with some form of trauma to the soft tissue (e.g., a strained muscle or a pulled ligament, tendon, or fascia).
- Reducing limitations by stretching connective tissue in an attempt to increase the range of motion for affected soft tissues (e.g., muscle, fascia, tendons, ligaments).
The Graston Technique Tools
There are several varying tools used in The Graston Technique. These tools are made of stainless steel and are concave and convex-shaped. They have rounded edges and are not sharp. The instruments are used to detect areas of problematic soft tissue and then provide needed treatment to them.
Using cross-friction massage, the Graston tools are rubbed against the grain of the problem spot(s), which in turn increases the rate and amount of blood flow in and around the area(s). This process helps initiate and promote the healing of the affected soft tissues.
Potential Benefits of Graston Therapy
The Graston Technique offers several potential advantages to patients with discomfort or pain:
- Fostering faster rehabilitation/recovery by supporting the body’s own healing capacity.
- Reducing the need for anti-inflammatory or pain medications
- Resolving both acute injuries and chronic conditions
Kinesio-Taping
Kinesio-Taping is a treatment modality that is used to move lymph fluids, increase blood circulation, reduce pain, improve muscle tone, and correct or adjust movement patterns. It became popular in use with high-profile athletes and has quickly moved into the general population.
This therapeutic tape was developed by a Japanese chiropractor named Kenso Kaze.
The general goals of incorporating Kinesio tape are to reduce inflammation and swelling, alleviate muscular tension, stabilize muscle and joint systems, support soft tissues including tendons and ligaments and promote your body’s natural healing and recovery.
Kinesio-Taping Materials
Kinesio tape is stretchy, breathable, adhesive fabric strips that come in a wide variety of colors, shapes, weights, and textures. It is manufactured by many companies. At Vaida, we use the brand Rock Tape.
Potential Benefits of Kinesio-Taping
Kinesio-taping offers several potential advantages to patients with discomfort or pain:
- When placed on skin, the Kinesio tape pulls at the upper layers of skin, creating more space between the dermis and the muscle. Increased space theoretically allows muscles greater contractility, which in turn pushes more fluid through the muscle, resulting in better muscle performance.
- Additionally, when the space between the skin and the muscle is compressed, such as a result from an injury, nerve receptors are also compressed and they send information to the brain regarding continuous pain, pressure, and heat which can become a barrier to healing. Applied Kinesio tape causes a less reactive response in the body, removing some of the roadblocks that normally slow down the healing process.
Curious About Trying Graston or Kinesio Taping?
Both The Graston Technique and Kinesio taping are wonderful therapies for individuals with a wide range of soft tissue injuries or pain. Repeated movements that are causing you discomfort or constant muscle tension (Ex: tight jaws/clenching, carrying a baby/toddler, working long hours at a computer, carpal tunnel syndrome, rotator cuff injuries, golfer or tennis elbow) are all conditions, in addition to many others, that could benefit from either modality.
Curious if these services are a good fit for you? Call or email Vaida to learn more. We don’t offer these treatments as stand-alone services but we do offer them supplementally with a chiropractic (Graston and Kinesio taping) or physical therapy (Kinesio taping) appointment.