Graston

Isaac John De Silva

Lim Xiao Heng
Who invented Graston?
In the early 90s, amateur athlete
David Graston developed the unique
tool and massage technique 'Graston
technique'
He helped thousand of athletes
recover from strained and pulled
muscles, ligaments and tendons.
Graston is an instrument
made up of stainless steel
with beveled edges and
contours that can conform to What is
different body anatomical
Graston?
locations and allows for
deeper penetration
 Type of
Graston
tools
There are six different designs
Each specfically designed for different body parts and
functions
 How does it works?(1)
Scar tissue are formed due to repeated strain,
immobilization and surgery

Graston is used to stimulate connective tissue

remodeling through resorption of excessive fibrosis,
along with inducing repair and regeneration of collagen

It aims to decrease pain, improve Range of Motion

(ROM) and function
 How does it works?(1)
Practitioner scrapes your skin with short or long strokes

Practitioner repeatedly scrape your skin in a downward

motion for 2 mins or more

In turn, this will result in the release and breakdown of

scar tissue, adhesions, and fascial restrictions
It must be combined with motion and strengthening
program to enhance tissues remodeling. Eg, stretching,
cryotherapy ( Cold Therapy)
 Step 1
Examination

Step 2
The 6-steps Warm-up, 15 mins of light
jogging, stationary bike
procedure (1)
 Step 3
Graston technique, scrapping for
2 mins

Step 4
The 6-steps Stretching, 3 reps for 30
procedure (1) seconds
 Step 5
Strengthening, high repetitions
with low load exercise

Step 6
The 6-steps
Cryotherapy, 10-20min
procedure (1)
 Benefit 1
Clinical It decreases DOMS. Delayed Onset Muscle
Soreness. It is the sore, achy feeling after
Benefits (2) exercise

Benefit 2
It activates nerve fibres
Nerve fibres as well as the body's sensory
receptors including mechanoreceptors and
proprioceptors
 Benefit 3
Improvements in range of motion, strength
Clinical and pain perception making it a preferred
treatment for many major sports teams
Benefits (2)
Benefit 4
Reduces Pain and Improves Function

Benefit 5
Treats Chronic Conditions Eg. Plantar Fascitis,
Achilles Syndrome
 Mechanical advantage
Benefit to It provides depper tissue penetration
the with reducing the over-use of hands
Therapist (2)

Able to detect soft tissue

irregularities easier
Increase vibratory perception
Conditions for Graston is usually used (1)

Scars ( Surgical ) Plantar Fascitis

Myofascial Pain Back Pain
Muscle Strains Carpal tunnel Syndrome
Ligament Sprains Neck Pain
Shin Splits Rotator Cuff Tendinitis
IT Band Syndrome Patellar Tendinitis
Chronic Ankle Sprains DeQuervain's Syndrome
Achilles Tendinitis Non-acute Bursitis
 Contraindications (1)

Patient intolerance
Uncontrolled hypertension
Open wound
Osteomyelitis
Patient Hypersensitivity
Myositis ossificans
Unhealed fracture
 Precautions (1)

Pregnancy Acute inflammatory conditions

Varicose veins Kidney dysfunction
Burn Scars Rheumatoid arthritis
Cancer
 Gua Sha (4)

Used in Chinese medicine

Similar to Graston
Acupuncturists uses thick oil to lubricate the skin, then
scrape until skin create redness
It is believed that Gua Sha realigns your inner 'Yang'
Light red- Deficiency in blood
Black or purple- Long standing condition
Dark deep red- excess of heat
Gua Sha vs Graston (4)
The Team Member 1
Team Mr Isaac John De Silva

Introduce the
people behind
the presentation.

Team Member 2
Mr Henry Lim
 1
Cheatham SW, Lee M, Cain M, Baker R. The efficacy
of instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization: a
Reference systematic review. The Journal of the Canadian
Chiropractic Association. 2016 ;60(3):200.

2
Stow R. Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization.
International journal of athletic therapy and training.
2011;16(3):5-8.

3
Baker RT, Nasypany A, Seegmiller JG, Baker JG.
Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization
treatment for tissue extensibility dysfunction.
International Journal of Athletic Therapy and
Training. 2013;18(5):16-21.
 4
https://blog.sidekicktool.com/gua-sha-vs-graston-
what-is-the-difference/
Reference
 1

Questions?
2