Graston Technique® for Sciatica Relief

Sciatica refers to pain that is felt along the path of the sciatic nerve, an area that goes from your lower back through your hips down past your buttocks into your leg. It typically affects one side of your body at a time. It can be the result of a herniated disk or bone spur on the spine that’s caused a compression of the nerve.

The Graston Technique® is a soft-tissue instrument-assisted mobilization, a manual therapy technique applied during chiropractic treatment. Instead of only using the hands, this technique uses six instruments in combination with a specialized form of massage to create a therapeutic effect.

The six core tools used in the Graston Technique® are made of stainless steel and are a variety of convex and concave shapes. The tools have blunt, rounded edges and are used to scan and detect areas of injured fibrotic tissue.

Does the Graston Technique® Work for Sciatica?

Most people suffering from sciatica do not need surgery, and most recover in about six weeks on nothing but rest and treatment.

Most doctors just recommend over-the-counter pain relievers and anti-inflammatory medication, but despite that, discomfort from sciatica can be quite severe. Since muscle spasms can be a symptom, some doctors may also prescribe methocarbamol, which comes with restrictions against driving and operating machinery, so it can greatly impede the person’s life.

Today, the Graston Technique® is growing in popularity to treat sciatica, in part due to the above limitations. The Graston Technique® can be used to break up myofascial adhesions and stimulate better, faster healing of sciatica.

There are also stretches and poses you can do to possibly help relieve pressure on the sciatic nerve. One popular position is known as the Reclining Pigeon Pose and involves lying on your back while holding your right leg up and clasping your hands behind the knee as you cross your left leg over to place your left ankle on top of the right knee (and then switching after holding it for a moment).

According to some studies, deep tissue massage may also be in relieving low back pain as it relaxes muscles which can reduce pressure on the sciatic nerve. Used in combination with the Graston Technique®, it’s a viable alternative to medication and rest, providing pain relief that is as good or better.

Treating Deep Gluteal Syndrome with the Graston Technique®

Deep gluteal syndrome, formerly known as piriformis syndrome, is a pain in the buttock that is caused by non-discogenic and extrapelvic entrapment of the sciatic nerve. Each individual case benefits from a complete assessment of the hip to determine the specific issue in each individual case. If the problem goes incorrectly identified for too long it can lead to an increased perception of pain and a lower quality of life for the patient.

Chronic buttock pain is caused by musculoskeletal pathologies of the piriformis muscle. It is typically myofascial pain or pinching of the sciatic nerve during certain leg or hip movements.

Myofascial release is a massage therapy technique helpful for addressing skeletal-muscle mobility limits and pain by relaxing tightened muscles, enhancing blood, oxygen, and lymphatic circulation, and stimulating the stretch reflex within muscles.

As another manual therapy approach, the Graston Technique® seems to have the therapeutic effect of inhibiting the adhesion of tissue, increasing the number of fibroblasts, and promoting collagen synthesis. There’s even a study on the use of the Graston Technique® for treating deep gluteal syndrome.

Visit East Bay Chiropractic’s Certified Graston Technique® Specialist

At East Bay Chiropractic Wellness P.C., we have been specializing in the use of the Graston Technique® for over 30 years, providing pain management and relief for soft tissue fibrosis and chronic inflammation. Call or email East Bay Chiropractic today and learn more about how we can help you manage your chronic pain.