Chiropractic is a health profession concerned with the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disorders of the musculoskeletal system, and the effects of these disorders on the nervous system and general health. The word chiropractic, from the Greek words praxis and cheir, means treatment by hand. There is an emphasis on manual treatments, including spinal manipulation as the main form of treatment.
The profession was founded in 1895 and is currently established in over 100 countries. In North America there is a minimum of six years full time university – level education, which includes two years of university credits in prerequisite subjects and then a minimum four year program at a chiropractic school. This is then followed by national and provincial licensing board examination.
The chiropractic profession emphasizes the natural power of the body to heal itself and therefore chiropractic practice does not include the use of drugs or surgery. Patients requiring these interventions are referred for medical care. Chiropractors use natural or non-invasive treatment approaches including manual treatments such as Active Release Techniques and Graston Techniques, lifestyle modification, exercises and of course joint manipulation.
Active Release Technique (ART)
Active Release Techniques (ART) is a patented hands-on soft tissue management system developed to find and break down scar tissue. By soft tissue, we are referring to muscles, tendons, nerves, ligaments, blood vessels and connective tissue.
Headaches, back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, shin splints, shoulder pain, sciatica, plantar fasciitis, knee problems, rotator cuff injuries, IT band syndrome, repetive strain injuries, and sports injuries are just a few of the many conditions that can be resolved quickly without surgery or drugs with ART. These conditions all have one important thing in common: they are often a result of overused muscles.
Over-used muscles (and other soft tissues) change in three important ways:
acute conditions (pulls, tears, collisions, etc),
accumulation of small tears (micro-trauma)
not getting enough oxygen (hypoxia).
Each of these factors can cause your body to produce tough, dense scar tissue in the affected area. This scar tissue binds up and ties down tissues that need to move freely. As scar tissue builds up, muscles become shorter and weaker, tension on tendons causes tendonitis, and nerves can become trapped. This can cause reduced range of motion, loss of strength, and pain. If a nerve is trapped you may also feel tingling, numbness, and weakness.
What is an ART treatment like?
Every ART session is actually a combination of examination and treatment. The ART provider uses his or her hands to evaluate the texture, tightness and movement of muscles, fascia, tendons, ligaments and nerves. Abnormal tissues are treated by combining precisely directed tension with very specific patient movements.
These treatment protocols - over 700 specific moves - are unique to ART. They allow providers to identify and correct the specific problems that are affecting each individual patient.
Most people will report that it feels like a “good hurt”. Treatments can feel uncomfortable, as scar tissue and adhesions are being “broken up”. This discomfort is temporary and subsides after the treatment. Treatments take 8-15 minutes for each area being treated. It is not unusual to see improvement within the first few visits.
Graston Technique
Watch Dr. Yee's Graston Demonstration on Global News
Graston Technique is an instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization that uses patented, stainless steel instruments to examine and release scar tissue, adhesions and fascial restrictions. The six 6 stainless steel instruments used in Graston Technique are each uniquely designed to access and treat all parts of the human body. They act like a stethoscope for the hands in feeling for scar tissue and adhesions. Once found, the instruments provide a mechanical advantage for treating the soft tissue.
Research conducted by Graston Technique® trained clinicians at Ball Memorial Hospital and Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana, found that the controlled micro trauma induced through Graston Technique® protocol, increased the amount of fibroblasts to the treated area. That amount of inflammation to the scar tissue helps initiate the healing cascade. The structure of the tissue is rearranged, and damaged tissue is replaced by new tissue. Ice is then applied to reduce the pain and exercise is implemented to increase function and range of motion.
Other clinical studies continue to document the success of Graston Technique®, generally achieving better outcomes when compared to traditional therapies, and resolving injuries that have failed to respond to other therapies.
The following diagnoses have been shown to respond well to Graston Technique:
Medial Epicondylitis/osis (golfer’s elbow)
Lateral Epicondylitis/osis (tennis elbow)
Carpal tunnel Syndrome
Neck and Back Pain
Plantar Fasciitis / Heel pain
Rotator Cuff Tendinitis/osis
Patellar Tendinitis/osis
Tibialis Posterior Tendinitis/osis
DeQuervain’s Syndrome
Post-Surgical and Traumatic Scars
Myofascial Pain and Restrictions
Chronic and Acute Sprain/Strains
Non-Acute Bursitis
RSD (Reflex Sympathetic Dystropy
IT Band Syndrome
Wrist Tendinitis/osis
Reduced range of motion due to Scar Tissue
Achilles Tendinitis/osis
Q. Is the treatment painful?
A.
It is common to experience minor discomfort during the procedure and some bruising afterwards. This is a normal response and part of the healing process.
Q. What is the frequency of treatment?
A.
Patients usually receive two treatments per week over 4-5 weeks. Most patients have a positive response by the 3rd to 4th treatment.
Q. How are the instruments used?
A.
The Graston Technique® instruments are used to enhance the clinician's ability to detect adhesions, scar tissue or restrictions in the affected areas. Skilled clinicians use the stainless steel instruments to comb over and "catch" on fibrotic tissue, which immediately identifies the areas of restriction. Once the tissue has been identified, the instruments are used to break up the scar tissue so it can be absorbed by the body.
Q. Is Graston Technique® something new?
A.The concept of cross fiber massage is not new. Graston Technique® is grounded in the works of English orthopedist James Cyriax. The use of our specially designed instruments and protocol is new.
Graston Technique® has become standard protocol in universities and hospital-based outpatient facilities, industrial on-site treatment settings such as Indiana University and the University of Michigan. The technique is also being used at industrial settings and by NBA, NHL and Major League Baseball trainers.
Q. Can anyone obtain the instruments?
A.
Only clinicians who have been trained and accredited in the Graston Technique® Basic course are qualified to obtain the Graston Technique® instruments and apply the technique to treat patients. The course is offered either on-site or at trainings offered throughout the year at a variety of locations.
