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Chiropractic care can help relieve stress and pain in the body and improve our overall quality of life. Many chiropractors have a similar set of skills they can implement to give their clients relief, which includes spinal manipulation and massage therapy, as well as more specialized skills, such as the ancient Chinese practice of acupuncture. Other separately specialized skills like acupuncture include the ancient practice of Gua Sha and specifically, the Graston technique.
So, is there a difference between Gua Sha and the Graston Technique®?
Are Graston And Gua Sha The Same?
Gua Sha
Similar to acupuncture, Gua Sha also finds its roots in ancient China. This practice dates back to the Paleolithic age and predates acupuncture by thousands of years. Traditional Gua Sha involves scraping parts of the body with a smoothed edge tool, such as a spoon, a coin, or a tool made of gemstone. The goal is to reduce inflammation and improve circulation by bringing blood to the targeted area to expedite the healing process, which is why the scraping of the skin with a smooth-edged tool, when done properly, creates small red dots under the skin.
The Graston Technique®
In terms of approach, the Graston Technique® is part of the greater Gua Sha umbrella. Unlike traditional Gua Sha and some of its other offshoots, including facial Gua Sha, the Graston Technique® involves using tools that target the deeper muscles and tendons rather than focusing on the skin and the capillaries on the surface. A certified Graston Technique® Specialist (GTS), like Dr. Marmorale can target damaged muscle tissue and fascia to smooth it out and relax it, reducing pain and restoring range of motion.
Is Graston Better Than Massage?
When it comes to chiropractic care, the best treatment is the one that is right for tackling your pain or discomfort head-on. A chiropractor should first meet with you and give you an evaluation to see what the source or sources of your pain are so they can work with you on a treatment plan. While the Graston Technique® is great for addressing deep-tissue trauma, massage therapy is just an entirely different approach.
You can expect the Graston Technique® to be applied to affected areas for about a minute at a time. Meanwhile, a massage therapy session could be anywhere from an hour to an hour and a half. While massage therapy does cover affected areas, it is also an overall more encompassing therapy, whereas the Graston Technique® is very targeted. The two forms of therapy are not mutually exclusive; consult with a chiropractor on what will work best for you.
East Bay Chiropractic Wellness P. C. Can Help Treat Many Common Conditions Safely and Efficiently
For more than 35 years, East Bay Chiropractic Wellness P.C. has been providing a wide range of chiropractic services to best fit your needs. We are proudly one of Long Island’s only Graston Technique® specialists and have been for more than a decade, giving our clients access to expanded care options that are simply unavailable elsewhere. By utilizing a combination of chiropractic care and recommended lifestyle changes, we can help you reduce your pain and increase your quality of life. Reach out to us at (516) 679-2225, or you can schedule your appointment online.
