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Understanding Graston technique (Gua Sha)

Updated: Feb 15

What is the Graston technique?

The Graston technique (Gua Sha) uses tools to pressure and scrape the skin to relieve pain and tension. This action causes bruising, often red to dark as purple or red spots known as petechiae or sha. 


The name Gua Sha comes from the Chinese word for scraping. According to traditional Chinese medicine, Qi (pronounced Chee) is energy that flows through the body. Many believe a person's Qi must be balanced and flowing freely to ensure health and well-being. 


Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) also views blood stasis or stagnation as a cause of pain and illness. Gua Sha aims to move pooled or stagnant blood to relieve symptoms. Physiotherapists also use this technique; however, they advertise it as instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilisation (IASTM), which uses the same scraping tools. 

Bodywork Clinic provides male massage services based in Golders Green, London. We offer Chinese Gua Sha and the Graston Technique using IASTM tools for men.
Chinese Gua Sha and The Graston Technique using IASTM tools for Men.

How is Graston's technique Done? 

Using a cross-friction Massage, which involves brushing or rubbing against the grain of the scar tissue, the practitioner re-introduces small amounts of trauma to the affected area. This process temporarily causes inflammation in the region, increasing the rate and amount of blood flow in and around the affected region. 


The theory is that this process helps initiate and promote the healing process of the affected soft tissues.


Who can benefit from the Graston technique? 

The Graston technique has the potential to treat acute and chronic conditions such as:

  • Lower back muscle strain or sprain

  • Restricted movement

  • Muscle tightness

  • Pain relief and management

  • Targeted scar tissue management

  • Accelerated recovery

  • Increased flexibility and range of motion

  • Reduction in inflammation

  • Achilles tendinosis

  • Carpal tunnel syndrome

  • Cervical sprain and strain

  • Plantar fasciitis

  • Rotator cuff tendinosis

  • Shin splints

  • Tennis and golfer's elbow


Clinical research shows that the Graston technique has favourable outcomes such as:

PubMed research studies highlight how Graston can help decrease pain. The effect of the Graston technique on pain and range of motion in patients with chronic low back pain. The Touro University & New York Medical College research abstract is based on An Analysis of Graston Technique for Soft-Tissue Therapy, concluding that patients show clinically significant improvement when Graston is combined with physical exercise as a non-holistic treatment.


Additionally, more research from practitioners and clients shows that after a week, people with neck and shoulder pain from computer use, male weightlifters to help with recovery after training, and older adults with back pain who had received Graston therapy reported greater flexibility and less back pain than the other group however, all participants claimed improvements on a larger scale immediately following the session.


Preparation for Graston: 

Wear loose, soft clothing, such as gym clothes, and avoid a heavy meal before the session. Shower before you come, and wait at least four hours after the treatment to shower.


Summary

Based on proven clinical and client improvement research, the Gratson technique can uniquely break down scar tissue and fascial restrictions through tissue mobilisation. The method is more constructed in scanning and identifying the problematic area by discolouration and locating the treated area. Its expansion stimulates local inflammatory responses in the soft tissue or joints, leading to remodelling and repairing teh affected soft tissue structures. Graston is considered one of the safe, non-invasive techniques known for providing many people with a variety of injury relief they need to heal much faster. 



Akhtar (SAC. Dip), Lead Clinical Sports Therapist

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Akhtar (SAC. Dip)

Lead Clinical Sports Therapist.

​

​Contact: 07719271779
 

Address: By Appointments Only.​​​

Location: Side Entrance, 169 The Vale

Golders Green. London. NW11 8TL​

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