Graston Technique

I continued my odyssey of treatments for my running injuries yesterday by seeing a sports chiropractor.   I’m starting to run out of options, so I’m hoping that this one will work.   I was actually pretty encouraged by her diagnosis.   She said the same thing that my physical therapist said might be happening, which is that the scar tissues on my tendons has built up so much that it’s restricting the range of motion and thus causing pain when I run.   The PT had suggested deep tissue massage.   The Chiropractor suggested, and performed, the “Graston Technique”. 

“Do you know what Graston technique is?” she asked.

“No, not really.”

“Well, it’s a form of deep tissue massage performed with metal instruments.”

“Oh”

“You should realize that it’s going to be kind of uncomfortable.”

This is, of course, doctor speak for ‘get ready because this is going to really hurt’.   The procedure that I received consisted of her using what looked like a heavy steel shoehorn to dig into the tendons in my ankle and lower leg.   She dragged it back and forth across the tendon.   I could actually feel what seemed like little ridges as it roughly slid across my skin.

“Can you feel where that catches?” she asked.

“Yes.”, I half gasp and half cry.

“That’s the scar tissue; that what this is going to get rid of.  This will feel a lot smoother next time.”

“Next time”, I think to myself, “We have to do this again.”

Her recommendation is that I do this 3 times a week for the next few weeks.   I don’t believe I’ll be going quite that often.    I did schedule another appointment for later this week and I will see if I see some improvement over the first few treatments.    Wish me luck.   Hood to Coast is less than 4 months away.