East Bay Chiropractic Wellness P.C.

Graston

Does the Graston Technique® Work on Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome?

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Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome (TTS) is a condition that affects the tibial nerve, which runs through a narrow passage in your ankle known as the tarsal tunnel. When this nerve becomes compressed or irritated, it can result in symptoms like burning, tingling, and pain on the soles of your feet.

Just as repetitive stress in the hands can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome, repetitive strain in the ankles can cause tarsal tunnel syndrome. Fortunately, both conditions can benefit from treatment using the Graston Technique®.

What Aggravates Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome?

TTS can begin after an injury or develop gradually due to overuse. Activities that irritate or compress the tibial nerve as it passes through the ankle and into the foot can trigger or worsen the condition. Because it’s nearly impossible to completely rest your feet and ankles, tarsal tunnel syndrome may take time to fully heal.

One of the most common setbacks happens when people resume normal activity too soon. Even mild relief can tempt you to jump back into workouts or long walks, which can cause reinjury or aggravate a healing ankle. There are ways to avoid aggravating TTS. To help avoid flare-ups:

Additionally, factors such as long periods of walking or standing, diabetes, and weak calf muscles can contribute to ongoing or worsening symptoms

What Is the Graston Technique® for Feet?

The Graston Technique℗ is a type of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization. It uses a patented stainless-steel tool to gently break up adhesions and scar tissue that restrict mobility and irritate nerves like the tibial nerve.

Clinical research supports its use. According to studies cited by ClinicalTrials.gov,

“Studies have shown that the controlled micro trauma induced through GT increased fibroblasts recruitment and activation in an animal model. Additional studies have shown clinical efficacy using GT for the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome, lumbar compartment syndrome(7) and trigger thumb(8). Graston instrument has been used for relieving pressure of soft tissue mobilization and release very effectively for years”.

The Graston Technique℗ has been used for years as a means to relieve tarsal tunnel syndrome as well.

Like some forms of trigger-point therapy, the Graston Technique℗ can occasionally feel a bit sore afterward, but that doesn’t last long. For most people, using the Graston Technique℗ on the feet can feel slightly ticklish. In many cases, patients report increased ankle flexibility after just one session.

With the Graston Technique, East Bay Chiropractic Wellness Can Get You Back on Your Feet Faster

Whether it’s from an injury or overuse, tarsal tunnel syndrome can cause significant pain if left untreated. At East Bay Chiropractic Wellness, we use the Graston Technique® to target the root cause of your pain and help you heal faster. Don’t let tibial nerve pain keep you off your feet. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and experience the benefits of the Graston Technique® for foot and ankle pain.

Why Baseball and Softball Players Love the Graston Technique®

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Baseball has remained America’s favorite pastime, going as far back as the 19th century. Many of us spend countless hours playing softball as kids in school or with our friends.

As we get older, a few go on to play baseball in the major or minor leagues, while many others continue to play softball or baseball with our co-workers, neighbors, and friends as a way to stay both active and social. This is very beneficial to both our mental and physical health, but there are always risks, including injury.

Despite our best efforts, doing all the proper stretches, warm-ups, warm-downs, and wearing all the right equipment, we can still find ourselves with an injury. If we have past injuries, sports-related or not, they can also be aggravated. While chiropractic care is an option, what can the Graston Technique® do specifically for those suffering sports-related injuries?

What Is the Graston Technique® for Athletes?

In a way, the Graston Technique® was always for athletes, as it was developed as a result of a sports injury. The technique’s namesake, David Graston, developed the technique out of frustration with his slow recovery from a sports injury. This led to the creation of specialized tools used to perform a specific, specialized, “scraping” type movement over the affected area that improves mobility when performed by a trained practitioner.

What Does Athletic Scraping Do?

For centuries, traditional Chinese medicine incorporated techniques designed to stimulate blood flow to areas of the body that needed healing to expedite the recovery process. This varies from acupuncture, which stimulates the nerve endings.

The tools designed to perform the “scraping” movement with the Graston Technique® not only stimulate blood flow, but they break up the adhesions built up deep under your skin that affect the injured soft tissues, which could be on your muscles, tendons, and ligaments. By doing so, your mobility in the affected area will increase sooner and with less pain as the restrictive adhesions will be broken up and absorbed back into your body.

The Graston Technique® has been considered so effective by sports professionals that MLB, NBA, and NFL teams utilize it with their players to speed up and improve recovery. Baseball pitchers often use the Graston Technique® to help improve the range of motion in their shoulders.

Athletes Make an Appointment Today

The Graston Technique® can be a life-changing experience for athletes, addressing chronic pain due to overuse injuries and other adjacent sports-related injuries. That said, Graston® can help manage pain for a wide range of people regardless of their involvement in athletics.

For more than 35 years, East Bay Chiropractic Wellness P.C. has been providing a wide range of chiropractic services, including the Graston Technique®, to best fit your needs. We can work with you on pain management and restoring the range of motion through massage, stretching exercises, spinal adjustments, and more. Schedule your appointment today and let us help you find the best holistic treatment for your particular needs.

What Is the Difference Between a Sprain and a Strain

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When it comes to soft tissue injuries, the two most commonly invoked are sprains and strains. However, the vast majority of people are not informed about the difference between these two similar injuries.

  • A sprain injures your ligaments, the bands of tissue that connect one bone to another. Sprains occur when you overextend or tear a ligament while severely stressing a joint.
  • A strain, or pulled muscle, involves an injury to a muscle or tendon (the band of tissue that attaches a muscle to a bone).

How Can I Tell If It’s a Sprain or Strain?

While both can cause swelling and pain, each has its own symptoms. Both sprains and strains often exhibit limited mobility in the affected joint, as well as muscle weakness, tenderness, and swelling.

In addition, hearing or feeling a “pop” in your joint at the time of injury indicates a sprain.

These similarities make them hard to distinguish. One major difference is that sprains often involve bruising, while strains can lead to muscle spasms.

Is a Sprain Worse Than a Strain?

Both can be equally bad, and both affect connective tissue, so it depends on the severity of the particular injury. Of the two, strains generally have the faster recovery time since tendons heal faster than ligaments.

Can Graston Be Applied for Ankle Sprains?

The Graston Technique® is a procedure for treating soft tissue injuries, injuries that affect the fascia, adhesions, knots, muscle spasms, and anything that causes a restricted range of motion that prevents you from doing what you love. It involves the use of a surgical stainless steel instrument with rounded edges (it’s not sharp), allowing the clinician to identify problem areas and provide precision treatment to deep tissue.

When treating ankle sprains, the Graston Technique® is effective in helping to reduce swelling as well as in the later stages of the healing process, it assists in the breakdown of adhesions and dysfunctional scar tissue that occurs as a result of the initial injury.

Can Graston Help with Muscle Strains?

When treating muscle strains or tissue tightness, the Graston Technique® can promote faster rehabilitation and facilitate a return to normal function. The technique can help support your recovery process, allowing it to stay smooth and relatively brief.

East Bay Chiropractic Wellness Is the Expert in Soft Tissue Injuries

At East Bay Chiropractic Wellness, we’ve been at the cutting edge of chiropractic care since the mid-1980s, and have been certified to practice the Graston Technique® for decades. With almost four decades of experience, you know you’ll be in good hands. Our expert team understands that each case is unique and develops individualized treatment plans for each patient. Contact us at East Bay Chiropractic today. You deserve a life free from pain!

Can Graston Treat IT Band Syndrome?

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The iliotibial (IT) band is a thick band of fibrous tissue that runs along the outside of the thigh, stretching from the hip to the knee. IT Band Syndrome (ITBS) occurs when the IT band causes friction against the lower outer edge of the thighbone, which may cause inflammation in the bone, tendons, or small, fluid-filled sacs in the area.

What Is IT Band Syndrome (ITBS)?

Some researchers believe ITBS stems from the abnormal compression of underlying tissue by the iliotibial band. While the exact cause is still being researched, it’s widely agreed that repetitive knee bending and extension play a major role. As a result, long-distance runners and individuals new to running are most commonly affected.

You’re more likely to develop ITBS if you:

  • Run on uneven or downhill terrain
  • Wear worn-out running shoes
  • Push beyond your physical limits
  • Have a slight inward leg slope (bowlegged)

To reduce your risk, ease into any new running routine gradually. Make sure to stretch properly and increase training intensity over time rather than all at once.

How Do You Treat ITBS?

In many cases, treating a tight IT band will involve:

  • Reducing or modifying activity, such as pausing running
  • Using ice therapy and anti-inflammatory medications
  • Making lifestyle changes
  • Practicing targeted exercises to strengthen and stretch muscles around your hip and knee

If symptoms don’t improve after several weeks of making proper adjustments, consult a healthcare provider. Your knee pain might be due to a different injury or condition.

Your provider will review your medical history, perform a physical examination, and rule out other potential causes. In unclear cases, they may recommend imaging such as an X-ray or MRI. Fortunately, most cases of ITBS respond well to proper treatment and rehabilitation.

How Does the Graston Technique® Help IT Band Syndrome?

The Graston Technique® is a form of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM). A trained provider uses stainless steel tools to gently scrape the skin and underlying tissue to:

  • Promote tissue repair
  • Reduce inflammation
  • Restore mobility
  • Break down adhesions and knots in the fascia

In a study of the Graston Technique® for Iliotibial Band Syndrome, all participants treated with the Graston Technique® reported a reduced level of pain post-treatment.

Talk to East Bay Chiropractic Wellness If You Suspect IT Band Syndrome

If you are experiencing IT band syndrome or a similar condition, the East Bay Chiropractic Wellness team can create a holistic treatment plan to help you return to your normal routine. With more than 35 years of experience, you’ll be in good hands with us. Fill out our contact form or call (516) 679-2225 to learn more about how we can help you.

Can the Graston Technique® Be Used on Tight Hamstrings?

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When most people think of chiropractors, they think of spinal adjustments to treat back pain. While spinal manipulation is a cornerstone of chiropractic care, chiropractors also offer a range of techniques that address various musculoskeletal issues, including tight or injured hamstrings.

Your spine is a critical part of the central nervous system, and spinal misalignments or pinched nerves caused by issues like slipped discs can lead to discomfort throughout the body. However, chiropractic care extends far beyond spinal health. In this blog post, we’ll explore how chiropractors can support recovery from hamstring injuries using tools like the Graston Technique®.

Can a Chiropractor Fix Hamstrings?

Yes, chiropractors can effectively treat hamstring injuries. Common hamstring issues include strains or tears, which involve soft tissue damage, leading to symptoms such as:

  • Sudden pain or a pulling sensation in the back of the thigh.
  • Swelling or tenderness near the thigh or knee.
  • Bruising or discoloration within hours or days after injury.
  • Difficulty walking or bending the knee due to stiffness or weakness.
  • Pain that worsens with movement, such as running or jumping.

Chiropractors treat hamstring injuries with several methods, including massage therapy and the Graston Technique®. 

Is It Okay to Massage a Pulled Hamstring?

Absolutely. Massage therapy is designed specifically to target our soft tissue, making it a great choice for treating injuries such as a pulled hamstring. Massage therapy can reduce pain, inflammation, and swelling. This helps increase mobility more quickly and get you back to your day-to-day life sooner.

What Are the Effects of Graston on Hamstring Injury?

The Graston Technique® is an evidence-based method that uses specially designed stainless-steel instruments to detect and treat scar tissue and soft tissue restrictions. When used on a hamstring injury, this technique helps:

  • Breakdown scar tissue resulting from a tear
  • Improve blood flow and circulation in the affected area
  • Reduce pain and restore range of motion

The Graston Technique® can help break up scar tissue caused by car accidents, slips and falls, sports injuries, post-surgical soft tissue healing, and more. While it may result in temporary bruising or mild discomfort, these side effects are part of the natural healing process.

Recover Faster from Hamstring Injuries at East Bay Chiropractic

At East Bay Chiropractic Wellness P.C., we specialize in helping patients recover from hamstring strains and other soft tissue injuries. With more than 35 years of experience and certified expertise in the Graston Technique®, we are proud to be among the few clinics on Long Island offering this advanced treatment.

In addition to utilizing the Graston Technique®, we can also utilize massage, stretching exercises, spinal adjustments, and more in our approach to pain management. Schedule your appointment today and take the first step towards a more comfortable life.

Does Graston help Patellar Tendonitis?

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Being physically active throughout our lives is important, especially as we get older. Exercising, such as jogging and playing sports, well into our later years can help keep us healthy and strong, which is essential for maintaining independence in our golden years.

Unfortunately, aging can also make us more susceptible to injuries from exercising. Even when we’re younger and trying our best to avoid it, injuries can still affect us at the most inopportune times.

One such common injury related to exercise and sports is patellar tendonitis. So, what exactly causes this injury?

What Causes Patellar Tendonitis?

The primary cause of patellar tendonitis is overuse of the tendon that connects our kneecap to our shin bone. This happens from repeated stress on the tendon, causing a series of microtears. This can result from playing sports that involve frequent jumping, such as basketball and volleyball, but it can happen in other instances as well.

Does Patellar Tendonitis Go Away?

For mild cases, it can eventually go away with proper care, but it’s important not to work through the pain. Paying attention to when you have pain developing between your kneecap and shin bone can help keep you from overexerting yourself and making things worse. It’s common for the pain to initially only appear while you’re being active, but eventually it can start to occur more and more frequently even when not being active, which can start to impact your quality of life. Seeking help from a professional at that point will help expedite the healing process.

Is Scraping Good for Patellar Tendonitis?

The Graston Technique® is designed to treat injuries just like patellar tendonitis. That’s because this technique, which only certified professionals can administer, is ideal for breaking up scar tissue that forms on soft tissue, including your tendons, that develops from these injuries. When your body is trying to heal from microtears in soft tissue, the hard, coarse tissue that develops over it creates pain and limits mobility. The Graston Technique® breaks that up to restore your mobility and expedite your healing process.

East Bay Chiropractic Wellness Can Help You Recover

Sports injuries might seem like minor inconveniences to some, but conditions like patellar tendonitis can become chronic and significantly affect your quality of life. Ongoing pain and mobility issues can introduce unexpected limitations into your daily routine, making even simple activities more difficult.

At East Bay Chiropractic Wellness P.C., we’ve been helping patients manage pain and restore mobility for over 35 years. Our team offers a comprehensive range of chiropractic services tailored to your needs, including massage therapy, stretching exercises, spinal adjustments, and the Graston Technique®. This specialized approach has been shown to support faster, more effective rehabilitation.

Schedule your appointment today to get evaluated and explore the best treatment options for getting back to the life you enjoy.