Manual Medicine & Spine Health

Graston Technique

We permanently resolve chronic tissue stiffness using special clinical tools.

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The Graston Technique (Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization - IASTM) is an evidence-based method using specially designed stainless steel clinical instruments to treat chronic adhesions and scar tissue in the muscle and fascial system. It allows us to detect and resolve fascial restrictions with 'stethoscope' precision where hands cannot reach deeply or accurately enough. At Wellness Studio in Pendik, Istanbul, we provide this service with our specially trained physiotherapists.

The membranes (fascia) covering muscles and bones can undergo structural changes after trauma, poor posture, or surgeries, sticking together and losing flexibility. This causes chronic pain in many areas from the neck to the heel (e.g., Tennis elbow, plantar fasciitis, chronic knots). With the Graston technique, controlled micro-traumas are created in these areas, stimulating blood flow and restarting the body's natural repair process (inflammation cascade).

This technique, which we apply to a wide range of individuals from professional athletes to desk workers applying to our clinic from Pendik, Kartal, Maltepe, and surrounding areas, doesn't just soothe symptoms; it permanently solves the problem by ensuring tissue fibers rebuild in a healthy form. The treatment is always supported by personalized stretching and strengthening exercises.

Who is it for?

  • Those with chronic muscle stiffness (knots) and trigger points in the neck, shoulders, and back
  • Those suffering from tennis elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis) or golfer's elbow
  • Those with foot/ankle problems like Achilles tendinitis and plantar fasciitis (heel spur)
  • Those who develop tissue adhesions (scar tissue) after surgery, tear, or trauma
  • Individuals experiencing fascial tension and movement restriction due to poor posture
  • Professional or amateur athletes looking to accelerate post-training recovery
  • Those suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome and wrist tendon problems
  • Those who need deeper and specific tissue release where manual massage is insufficient

Application Stages

01

Warm-up and Evaluation

Starts with light cardio or heat application to increase local blood flow. Then our expert physiotherapist scans the tissue manually and with tools to locate problematic points.

02

Instrumented Scanning

Special Graston tools made of stainless steel slide over the skin, detecting adhesions, crystallizations, and scar tissues in the fascial layer with "stethoscope" precision.

03

Micro-Trauma and Release

Friction is applied to the detected restrictions at specific angles. This process restarts the body's natural healing (inflammation) cascade by creating controlled micro-trauma, mechanically resolving adhesions.

04

Stretching

Immediately after tissue adhesions are resolved, stretching exercises are applied to the relevant muscle group to ensure tissue fibers realign properly.

05

Ice Application and Exercise

Cold therapy (cryotherapy) is applied to prevent post-procedural hyper-sensitivity, and functional exercises are prescribed to maintain the gained range of motion.

Benefits of the Treatment

Mechanical breakdown of chronic tissue adhesions and scar tissue
Increased gliding ability of muscles and fascia, restoring flexibility
Restarting the tissue healing process from a stalled state
Affecting deep tissues that cannot be reached by manual therapy or hand massage
Significantly shortening treatment time and accelerating the recovery process
Greatly reducing the need for painkillers
Lowering the risk of injury and increasing performance in athletes
Providing long-term, permanent relief in chronic tendinitis cases

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Graston Technique hurt?
It is normal to feel a slight burning, 'grittiness', or pressure while the tools pass over the problematic tissue (adhesion). This feeling indicates that adhesions are being resolved. Our experts adjust the pressure intensity entirely to your tolerance, completing the procedure comfortably.
Will there be redness or bruising after the procedure?
Temporary redness (petechiae) on the skin after the treatment is an expected and desired physiological condition due to increased blood flow (hyperemia) and micro-capillary response. Mild bruising (ecchymosis) can rarely occur but resolves spontaneously within a few days.
What tools are used for the technique?
The Graston technique uses 6 different tools made of medical-grade stainless steel, specially designed to fit perfectly with various anatomical curves of the body. Since these tools transmit tissue irregularities to the practitioner's hand as vibrations, the treatment is highly accurate and effective.
How long does a session take, and how many sessions yield results?
The Graston application alone usually takes 10-15 minutes, but since it's always combined with complementary procedures like stretching, exercise, and ice application, the total session time can take 30-40 minutes. In most cases, permanent clinical results are achieved within 4 to 6 sessions, applied 1-2 times a week.
Can it be applied to everyone? Are there contraindications?
It is not applied in cases of open wounds, active infections, advanced varicose veins, uncontrolled diabetes, blood thinner use, some types of cancer, and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Before the procedure, our expert physiotherapists take a detailed history (anamnesis) to meticulously evaluate your suitability for this treatment.