Massage & Bodywork

November/December 2012

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The Graston Technique was developed by David Graston after he suffered a knee injury and subsequent limited range of motion due to reconstructive surgery. When physical therapy didn't do the trick, Graston used cross-friction massage and developed stainless steel tools to assist his fatigued hands. Today, the instruments help mobilize, reduce, and reorganize fibrotic restrictions in the neuromuscular system. SASTM, also developed by Graston, is a similar modality that diagnoses and treats skeletal muscle and connective tissue disorders using tools to palpate clients' bodies, thereby detecting and resolving muscular and tendinous adhesions. "I use SASTM with almost every client I work with," Pederson says. He finds it of particular benefit when working with fascia and soft-tissue adhesions. "With SASTM tools, you can really make some big changes quickly and effectively. The tools also provide feedback for clients, as the tools' design creates a vibration that, when relating to tissue consistency, both practitioner and client can hear and feel. The feedback this tool provides allows all involved the opportunity to easily compare progress from session to session. Often, after a few treatments with SASTM, many of the deeper adhesions and scar-tissue restrictions are gone, and we can move on to other forms of treatment. I often tell people that three minutes using the tools saves me 20 minutes of cross-fiber friction." COMBINING THE TECHNIQUES Buchberger finds that instrument-assisted modalities and ART complement each other well, especially when combined with strengthening and flexibility exercises. "Graston [Technique] is a good precursor to ART when the patient presents with diffuse fibrous restrictions that, for practical time and financial restraints, are better treated with Graston [Technique]. The examiner must realize that the goal of Graston [Technique] is to create an inflammatory response and allow remodeling to take over from that point. This is contrary to ART, which attempts to establish motion without inducing a dramatic inflammatory response. Once the restrictions reduce and become more isolated, introducing ART into the treatment plan has been a very effective scenario." Buchberger uses SASTM on very chronic cases and cases where ART, proper rehabilitation, and other traditional forms of treatment have been proven ineffective. Rampe also often combines SASTM and ART when treating shoulder injuries. "What happens a lot of times, depending on mechanics or pathology, is that the shoulder may not have adequate eccentric strength to properly decelerate the arm, so the back of the shoulder almost begins to adhere and starts to glue tissues together to decelerate. It starts to get sticky back there." That's when a combination of SASTM, ART, and other techniques can help mobilize the tissue and get circulation back so the tissues can work independently, in conjunction with a strengthening program. When confronted with clients who present significant challenges, sometimes it is the right move to expand your horizons. Blending ART with massage therapy can help give you the tools you need to help your most challenging clients. Yael Grauer is a freelance writer living in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She is the managing editor of Performance Menu: Journal of Health and Athletic Excellence. Contact her through http://yaelwrites.com or at yael@yaelwrites.com. www.abmp.com. See what benefits await you. 99

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