Graston Technique - Injury Treatment and RehabilitationSimple Technology Improving Injury Treatment & Rehabilitation
 

Research Reports

Research on the Graston Technique® is ongoing. The following studies were conducted using the GASTM* Protocol by Graston Technique® trained clinicians:

  1. Davidson CJ, Ganion L, Gehlsen G, Roepke J, Verhoestra B, Sevier TL: Morphologic and functional changes in rat achilles tendon following collagenase injury and GASTM. Journal of the American College of Sports Medicine 27(5) 1995.

    This study examined morphologic changes and functional changes in the Achilles tendon of rats following collagenase injury and subsequent intervention with the Graston Technique® (GASTM). Animals were randomly assigned to one of four groups (five rats per group): (1.) control; (2.) tendinitis; (3.) tendinitis plus GASTM; and (4.) GASTM alone.

    The Achilles tendons were harvested six weeks after injury. Gait analysis was performed using a rat treadmill, high-speed film and computer digitalization. Results indicated a significant therapeutic effect of the GASTM for stride length, stride frequency and knee range of motion (ROM). Electron microscopy found an increased number of fibroblasts in both groups treated with the Graston Technique® (GASTM) (groups 3 & 4).
     

  2. Sevier TL, Gehlsen GM, Wilson JK, Stover SA, and Helfst RH: Traditional physical therapy vs. Graston Technique® Augmented Soft Tissue Mobilization in treatment of lateral epicondylitis. Journal of the American College of Sports Medicine 27 (5), 1995.

    Forty patients diagnosed with lateral epicondylitis were randomly assigned to one of two groups; traditional PT protocol; phonophoresis and manual cross-friction; the Graston Technique® protocol. Both groups received identical cryotherapy, exercise and stretching programs. Pain level, mechanical finger power and grip strength were measured. There was a statistical difference between groups, in favor of the Graston Technique® protocol for the above measures.

  3. Davidson CJ, Ganion L, Gehlsen GM, Verhoestra B, Roepke JE, Sevier TL. Rat tendon morphologic and functional changes resulting from soft tissue mobilization. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise 29(3):313-319, 1997.

*NOTE: Since the original studies, the term Graston Augmented Soft Tissue Mobilization (GASTM) has been replaced by the term Graston Technique® Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (GISTM). Both studies utilized the Graston Technique® Instruments.

Other  Findings/Presentations
Published Articles & Books
Outcome Data