Understanding Graston Technique®: How It Helps and Why It Works
Graston Technique® is a highly specialized form of Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) used by chiropractors, physical therapists, athletic trainers, and clinicians to treat soft tissue injuries.🟡 Hover over each hotspot to learn about common injuries, how they’re treated, and the tools used for recovery.

Chronic Neck and Back Pain
What It Is:
Ongoing pain caused by soft tissue injuries, postural imbalances, or repetitive strain.
How GT Helps:
By addressing muscle imbalances and soft tissue restrictions, Graston Technique alleviates pain and improves posture and movement patterns.
Shoulder Injuries
Examples: Rotator Cuff Tendinitis, Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis)
How GT Helps:
GT instruments help break up adhesions and scar tissue in the shoulder area, increasing range of motion and reducing pain during movement.
Tendinopathies
Examples: Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis), Golfer's Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis), Achilles Tendinitis
How GT Helps:
Graston Technique uses specialized instruments to break down scar tissue, stimulate collagen synthesis, and reduce inflammation, accelerating recovery from chronic and acute tendinopathies.
Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (Runner’s Knee)
What It Is:
Pain around the kneecap often caused by overuse or misalignment.
How GT Helps:
Graston Technique reduces inflammation and promotes tissue healing, enabling athletes to return to their activities faster.
Tendinopathies
Examples: Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis), Golfer's Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis), Achilles Tendinitis
How GT Helps:
Graston Technique uses specialized instruments to break down scar tissue, stimulate collagen synthesis, and reduce inflammation, accelerating recovery from chronic and acute tendinopathies.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
What It Is:
A condition caused by compression of the median nerve, leading to pain, numbness, and tingling in the hand and wrist.
How GT Helps:
GT tools can reduce soft tissue restrictions and inflammation around the carpal tunnel, improving nerve function and reducing symptoms.
Plantar Fascitis
What It Is:
A painful condition caused by inflammation of the plantar fascia, the tissue connecting the heel to the toes.
How GT Helps:
Graston Technique helps improve blood flow, reduce scar tissue, and restore mobility, alleviating pain in the heel and arch of the foot.
Trigger Finger
What It Is:
A condition where a finger gets stuck in a bent position due to inflammation in the tendon sheath.
How GT Helps:
Graston Technique improves flexibility and reduces inflammation in the affected tendon, restoring smooth finger movement.
IT Band Syndrome (Iliotibial Band Syndrome)
What It Is:
Pain along the outer thigh caused by friction or overuse of the IT band.
How GT Helps:
GT tools release tension in the IT band and surrounding tissues, reducing pain and preventing future injuries.
Discover How Graston Technique® Can Help Treat a Wide Range of Conditions
Graston Technique is trusted by healthcare professionals worldwide to deliver effective, evidence-based results. Whether you’re dealing with chronic pain, recovering from an injury, or looking to improve your athletic performance, Graston Technique offers a proven path to better health.
Why Graston Technique®? The Science & Benefits
Graston Technique® is backed by clinical research and used by thousands of healthcare professionals to treat injuries effectively.
🔹 Faster Recovery Times – Speeds up healing by breaking down scar tissue
🔹 Non-Invasive & Drug-Free – An alternative to medication and surgery
🔹 Improves Mobility & Flexibility – Reduces stiffness and increases range of motion
🔹 Trusted by Athletes & Clinicians – Used by professional sports teams, physical therapists, and rehab specialists🔹 🔹Promotes blood flow & healing – accelerating the body’s natural recovery
🔹 Reduces pain & inflammation – without medication or invasive procedures
How Graston Technique® Instruments Work
Graston Technique® instruments are designed to amplify the tactile feedback that clinicians receive when assessing and treating soft tissue restrictions. Unlike traditional manual therapy, GT instruments provide a mechanical advantage, allowing clinicians to:
- Detect Scar Tissue and Fascial Adhesions – The precision edges of GT instruments help identify restrictions in soft tissues that are often imperceptible to the human hand.
- Break Down Fibrotic Tissue – Controlled microtrauma induced by the instruments stimulates a healing response, increasing fibroblast activity and collagen remodeling.
- Enhance Blood Flow and Healing – The technique increases local vascularization, bringing oxygen and nutrients to the affected area to promote tissue regeneration.
GT 1
Application: The GT1 instrument is expertly designed for evaluating and treating soft tissue restrictions over larger surface areas. It excels in treating specific soft tissue restrictions with its specialized knobs.
Description: The GT1 features a single bevel, concave treatment edge with two convex knobs. This unique design ensures precise treatment and effective scanning of larger muscle groups.
Key Features:
- Application: Perfect for large muscle groups, scanning, and treatment.
- Grips: Engineered for comfortable two-handed use, providing optimal control during treatment.
- Strokes: Versatile in its application, the GT1 supports sweeping, fanning, swiveling, and scooping strokes.
The GT1 instrument embodies the Graston Technique's commitment to quality and efficacy, offering clinicians a reliable tool for enhancing patient outcomes through superior soft tissue therapy.
GT 4
Application: The GT4 instrument is specifically designed for evaluating and treating concave-shaped soft tissue and providing focal treatment of convex-shaped soft tissue.
Treatment Areas: Suitable for use on various areas of the body.
Description: The GT4 features a single bevel, convex edge, facilitating comprehensive scanning and treatment.
Key Features:
- Application: Effective for scanning and treating both concave and convex soft tissues.
- Grips: Can be used with one or two hands, offering versatility and control.
- Strokes: Supports sweeping and fanning strokes for thorough treatment.
GT 2
Application: The GT2 instrument is expertly crafted for evaluating and treating convex-shaped soft tissue with its curved treatment surface. It excels in treating specific soft tissue restrictions with its specialized knobs.
Treatment Areas: Ideal for use on the biceps, triceps, wrist flexors and extensors, elbow, patella, and heel.
Description: The GT2 features one single and one double-bevel edge, along with two convex knobs. This versatile design ensures precise treatment and effective scanning of smaller muscle groups.
Key Features:
- Application: Perfect for small muscle groups, scanning, and treatment.
- Grips: Engineered for comfortable one or two-handed use, providing optimal control during treatment.
Strokes: Versatile in its application, the GT2 supports sweeping, fanning, swiveling, and scooping strokes.
GT 5
Application: The GT5 instrument is ideal for evaluating and treating convex-shaped tissue and specifically designed for treating intercostal areas.
Treatment Areas: Best suited for the cervical spine, deltoid, gastrocnemius, adductors, and intercostals.
Description: The GT5 features a single bevel, concave design originally developed for the intercostal region, ensuring effective treatment of specific areas.
Key Features:
- Application: Perfect for scanning and treating convex tissue and intercostal areas.
- Grips: Designed for comfortable one or two-handed use.
- Strokes: Supports sweeping, fanning, swiveling, and scooping strokes.
GT 3
Application: The GT3 instrument is meticulously designed for localizing and treating specific (smaller) soft tissue restrictions with precision.
Treatment Areas: Perfect for precise lesion localization.
Description: The GT3 features a single bevel, convex treatment edge, making it ideal for targeting specific soft tissue issues.
Key Features:
- Application: Specific localization and treatment of smaller areas.
- Grips: Designed for one or two-handed use, ensuring precise control.
- Strokes: Supports brushing, strumming, and J-strokes for effective treatment.
GT 6
Application: The GT6 instrument is specifically designed for evaluating and treating carpal tunnel, digits, and specific localized soft tissue restrictions with its treatment tip or hook.
Treatment Areas: Ideal for use on the digits, interossei, and Achilles.
Description: The GT6 features one single and one double bevel convex edge, along with a treatment tip and a knob/hook for precise treatment.
Key Features:
- Application: Perfect for smaller regions and precise localization.
- Grips: Can be used with one or two hands, providing versatility in treatment.
- Strokes: Supports sweeping, scooping, brushing, strumming, and J-strokes for comprehensive treatment.
Why Graston Technique® Instruments Stand Out
Graston Technique® is recognized as the gold standard in IASTM because of its scientifically designed instruments, rigorous clinical research, and standardized treatment protocols. Several key factors make these instruments uniquely effective:

Precision-Crafted Stainless Steel Instruments
GT instruments are made from high-quality, medical-grade stainless steel. This material provides:
- Superior Tissue Resonance – The density of stainless steel enhances the ability to detect soft tissue irregularities.
- Hygienic and Durable Design – Non-porous stainless steel prevents contamination, ensuring easy cleaning and long-term use.

Ergonomic Design for Versatility
Each instrument is designed with specific curvatures, edges, and bevels that optimize contact with the body's anatomy. This allows for:
- Targeted Treatment of Different Muscle Groups
- Reduced Hand Fatigue for Clinicians
- Greater Consistency and Control Over Pressure Application

Scientifically Proven Clinical Outcomes
Studies have shown that Graston Technique® improves soft tissue function by:
- Reducing Pain and Improving Range of Motion – Research indicates that GT treatments lead to statistically significant improvements in pain relief and flexibility in conditions such as tendinopathy, myofascial restrictions, and post-surgical scar tissue.
- Accelerating Recovery Time – The controlled microtrauma created by GT stimulates a localized inflammatory response, which promotes collagen synthesis and soft tissue repair.
- Enhancing Neuromuscular Response – GT treatments help stimulate the nervous system, improving proprioception and muscle activation.

Trusted by Healthcare Professionals Worldwide
Graston Technique® has been integrated into the treatment plans of thousands of physical therapists, chiropractors, athletic trainers, and occupational therapists around the world. It is trusted by:
- Professional and Collegiate Sports Teams – Many elite athletic organizations use GT instruments for injury prevention and recovery.
- Hospitals and Rehabilitation Centers – GT is incorporated into post-surgical recovery and musculoskeletal rehabilitation programs.
- Universities and Research Institutions – Graston Technique® is frequently included in clinical research studies and physical therapy curriculums due to its proven effectiveness.
The Importance of Proper Training and Authentic Graston Technique® Instruments
The Importance of Proper Training in Graston Technique®
Graston Technique® (GT) instruments are designed to enhance treatment outcomes, their effectiveness depends on proper clinician training. Without the necessary education and hands-on experience, clinicians risk ineffective treatment, patient discomfort, and potential injury. To ensure that GT is used safely and effectively, Graston Technique® provides formal training programs that equip healthcare professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to maximize patient benefits and achieve superior clinical results.
Why Training Matters
While the instruments themselves are an essential component of Graston Technique®, the true effectiveness of treatment depends on proper training and application. Without the appropriate education, there is a risk of misusing the instruments, which could lead to:
- Ineffective Treatment – Without proper technique, clinicians may fail to achieve the desired therapeutic effects, leading to suboptimal patient outcomes.
- Increased Patient Discomfort or Injury – Improper pressure, technique, or instrument choice can cause excessive bruising, inflammation, or discomfort.
- Legal and Ethical Concerns – Using GT instruments without training may result in liability issues and could violate professional licensing regulations.
The Risks of Counterfeit or Improper Instruments
Not all IASTM instruments are created equal. Some manufacturers produce counterfeit or low-quality tools that lack the precision, weight, and material properties of authentic Graston Technique® instruments.
Using non-authentic instruments can:
- Reduce Clinical Effectiveness – Inferior materials and poorly designed edges fail to provide the same level of tissue feedback and treatment results.
- Compromise Patient Safety – Poor-quality instruments can cause excessive tissue damage or discomfort due to improper edge contours.
- Invalidate Certification and Training – Only clinicians who use authentic Graston Technique® instruments are recognized as Certified GT Providers and can confidently offer the technique as part of their practice.