Graston Therapy

What Is Graston Therapy?

Graston Therapy, formally known as the Graston Technique, is a form of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) that uses specially designed stainless steel instruments to detect and treat areas of scar tissue, fascial restriction, and chronic inflammation in muscles, tendons, and ligaments. The technique was developed in the 1990s and has since become one of the most widely adopted soft tissue treatment methods in chiropractic, physical therapy, and sports medicine.

At Chiropractic First, Dr. Townsend uses Graston instruments as part of a comprehensive treatment approach for patients dealing with chronic soft tissue pain, limited mobility, and conditions that have not responded well to conventional treatment alone. The instruments amplify what the practitioner can feel in the tissue, making it possible to locate and treat restrictions that might otherwise go undetected.

How Graston Instruments Work

The Graston instruments are contoured stainless steel tools with beveled edges designed to conform to different anatomical regions of the body. When Dr. Townsend glides these instruments across the skin over an affected area, the tool transmits vibrations and texture changes through its handle, allowing him to feel exactly where the tissue is restricted, fibrotic, or inflamed.

Once a problematic area is identified, Dr. Townsend applies controlled strokes with the appropriate instrument to mechanically break apart the collagen cross-links that form in damaged tissue. This controlled microtrauma triggers the body’s inflammatory repair cascade, bringing fresh blood flow, fibroblasts, and growth factors to the area. Over a series of treatments, the disorganized scar tissue is replaced with properly aligned, functional tissue.

The treatment also stimulates sensory nerve fibers in the area, which can have an immediate pain-reducing effect by interrupting the chronic pain signals being sent to the brain. Many patients experience a noticeable decrease in localized pain and an increase in range of motion after their very first session.

What Does Graston Therapy Feel Like?

Patients typically describe the sensation as a firm scraping or rubbing along the skin surface. There may be mild discomfort over areas of significant restriction, and some redness or light bruising, called petechiae, may appear in the treated area. This is a normal response indicating that blood flow has been stimulated to the tissue and is not cause for concern. The redness typically fades within a day or two.

Dr. Townsend applies an emollient to the skin before treatment to allow the instruments to glide smoothly and reduce friction. Each treatment area is worked for approximately three to five minutes, and a complete session usually takes 10 to 15 minutes depending on how many areas require attention.

Conditions Treated with Graston Therapy

Graston Therapy at Chiropractic First is effective for numerous musculoskeletal conditions:

• Plantar fasciitis and heel pain
• Achilles tendinitis
• Patellar tendinitis (jumper’s knee)
• Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow)
• Medial epicondylitis (golfer’s elbow)
• Rotator cuff tendinopathy
• Trigger finger
• IT band syndrome
• Post-surgical scarring and fibrosis
• Chronic muscle strains
• Cervical and lumbar fascial restrictions
• De Quervain’s tenosynovitis

The technique is particularly valuable for tendon-related conditions, where chronic inflammation has produced dense fibrotic tissue that limits the tendon’s ability to glide and function normally.

Graston as Part of Your Treatment Plan

At Chiropractic First, Graston Therapy is rarely used in isolation. Dr. Townsend integrates it with chiropractic adjustments, stretching protocols, and corrective exercises to produce comprehensive, lasting results. The instruments prepare the tissue for better response to adjustment and exercise by removing the restrictions that prevent normal joint and muscle mechanics.

A typical Graston protocol involves one to two sessions per week over four to six weeks, though acute conditions may resolve faster. Dr. Townsend reassesses tissue quality at each visit to track progress and modify the treatment plan as your body responds.

Why Choose Chiropractic First for Graston Therapy

Dr. Townsend’s training in the Graston Technique gives patients in South Burlington access to an advanced soft tissue treatment backed by clinical research and used by professional sports teams worldwide. His careful diagnostic approach ensures that Graston Therapy is applied where it will make the greatest impact, and his integration of complementary therapies means you receive a complete recovery plan rather than a single-modality fix.

Schedule Your Appointment

Ready to find out if Graston Therapy is right for you? Call (802) 474-4258 or request an appointment to get started.