This remarkable procedure allows Sarah to detect and treat areas of fibrous tissue or adhesions in muscles that can reduce movement and cause pain.
In the healing process, our body attempts to repair injured areas by creating “scar tissue” internally, much like the scar that forms on skin when you have scraped or banged your knee.
In time, we can have a build up of this fibrous scar tissue, particularly in the muscles, tendons and ligaments that get a lot of use. This can lead to pain and dysfunction because this replacement tissue lacks the strength and flexibility of healthy tissue. Unhealthy tissue can even trap a nerve.
The Graston Instruments allow Sarah to better detect and treat these areas because it uses a stainless steel instrument that glides along the muscle. When these knots or bands of scar tissue are encountered, both clinician and patient sense a restriction. This difference is like a speed bump, or a gravel road feel as opposed to traveling smooth paved roads. The instrument then is used to identify and treat this. Stretches and exercises are then promoted to return the fibers of the muscle to a healthy more smooth pattern.