Chiropractic Services
Chiropractic Services
Fargo Chiropractic Services
Graston Technique
What is Graston Technique?
Graston Technique, originally developed by athletes, is a form of soft tissue massage technique which utilizes stainless steel instruments to address areas of soft tissue dysfunction and pain. This technique is utilized by chiropractors, athletic trainers, physical therapists and occupational therapists to address a variety of conditions.
What is Graston good for?
Graston Technique works well to treat many types of injuries to the muscles, tendons, ligaments and other soft tissues. Our doctors have seen success in treating many conditions with this technique including:
- Tendonitis - tennis and golfer’s elbow, patellar tendonitis, rotator cuff tendonitis, Achilles tendonitis and more.
- Plantar fasciitis
- Morton’s Neuroma
- Carpal Tunnel
- Dupeytran’s Contracture
- Chronic neck tension and headaches
- Chronic low back pain
Graston technique can also be used to help reduce swelling in the event of an acute injury such as an ankle sprain/strain.
How does it work?
Graston Technique involves using one of 6 stainless steel instruments to break up myofascial adhesions, which occur as a result of acute or repetitive injury to a muscle, tendon or ligament. Myofascial adhesions, often referred to as scar tissue, limit the ability of dysfunctional soft tissue to lengthen and/or function properly. This can cause additional stress on the adjacent joints, muscles and other structures which often causes pain. Graston instruments are uniquely designed to help the clinician accurately detect and address the myofascial adhesions, which improves function of the effected soft tissue to reduce pain.
For additional information including research supporting Graston technique, please click here.
top
Kinesiology Taping
Kinesiology tape can be used both to apply compression to promote recovery, or decompression to relieve pain and swelling. Kinesiology taping is used by amateur and professional athletes around the world. If you see an athlete on TV who has tape applied in a strange pattern, they are probably wearing kinesiology tape. A lot of people noticed it in the Olympics in Beijing, but it has been in use by high level athletes for years.
Kinesiology tape improves circulation, improves mechanics and helps manage muscle fatigue. Most kinesiology tape applications require very little tape comparing to conventional taping methods as kinesiology tape is designed to allow movement rather than restrict it. It can usually be worn for 2-3 days without problems.
We often use kinesiology tape in conjunction with Graston technique as they are complimentary to each other and used to treat many of the same conditions.
Injury Rehabilitation
The science and art of chiropractic extend far beyond typical spinal care. The scope of practice for Doctors of Chiropractic in North Dakota includes soft tissue therapies, physiotherapies (such as ultrasound, electric stim, laser, etc), clinical advice on nutrition and exercise instruction.
Also, within our scope is physical rehabilitation in clinical management of injuries. We give home rehabilitative exercises to compliment in-office treatment. This gives you an active role in your care so you have a more rapid and complete recovery with lower risk for re-injury. Some of the same principles of injury rehabilitation can also be used to prevent them from happening in the first place. There is a growing body of research on the benefits of sports chiropractic in injury prevention and athletic performance.