Graston Technique: How It Can Help You By: Nic Tremblay, PTA
If you’ve ever seen a Physical or Occupational therapist, Chiropractor, Massage Therapist, or Athletic trainer then you may have encountered Graston tools. Manual therapy is the physical manipulation of soft tissue including muscle, fascia, ligament, and tendon. While many clinicians use their hands for this therapeutic approach they sometimes opt for instruments to assist when the situation calls for it. Clinicians need to find points of restriction in the tissue before they can work on releasing them. These stainless-steel tools can be run over trouble spots to help clinicians locate the point of tension. Once located, a variety of techniques can be used to help release the constricted tissue by using the beveled edge of the tool. These come in different shapes and sizes to allow for work on places as small as the Achilles tendon and as large as the quadriceps of the thigh. The aim of running the tool over restricted tissue like muscle fascia or scar tissue is to help reduce the adhesive quality. Over several sessions this can help to decrease pain and increase the range of motion of joints involved. There are many conditions that Graston tools are appropriate for and can assist in the healing process. These include: Lower back muscle sprain or strain, Achilles tendonitis, Carpal tunnel, Plantar fasciitis, Rotator cuff tendonitis, Shin splints, and Tennis/Golfer’s elbow. We have an assortment of Graston tools at Northern Physical Therapy that we use everyday to help get people back on their feet (sometimes literally)! Feel free to stop by and ask a clinician how these fantastic tools and what they can do for you.
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Mind Exercise: Sudoku
Exercise Essential
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n° 229777 - Level Medium
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Strengthens glutes
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SQUAT Stand with good posture, feet are shoulder width apart. Perform a squat by bending at the hip. Stop at the point where you cannot keep your lower back flat. Rise up by straightening at the hip. Repeat 2 sets of 10 reps.
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n° 228310 - Level Medium
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5 2 The rules of the game are simple: each of the nine blocks has to contain all the numbers 1-9 within its squares. Each number can only appear once in a row, column or box. 8 9
Always consultyour therapistorphysicianbefore startingexercisesyouareunsureofdoing.
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