GRASTON TECHNIQUE®
Graston Technique® in St. Louis Park, MN
Instrument-assisted soft tissue treatment for tendons, scar tissue and stubborn tightness, chosen when your exam shows it’s the right tool for the job.
Graston Technique® certified · Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician® (CCSP®) · HSA and FSA cards accepted
WHY GRASTON®
Why I Use Graston Technique®
An Achilles that’s been cranky all season. A heel that hurts with the first steps every morning. An old ankle sprain that never quite moved the same again. Some soft tissue problems are stubborn, and they need a different kind of attention.
Graston Technique® uses specially shaped stainless steel instruments to find and treat areas where tissue has become thickened, restricted or slow to heal. The instruments help me feel changes in the tissue and treat larger areas, like a calf or the outside of the thigh, more efficiently than my hands alone.
It doesn’t have to be aggressive, and it usually isn’t. Everyone’s tolerance is different, so pressure is matched to you. Graston® can be a stand-alone session for a specific injury, or an add-on to your chiropractic care, whether you’re in active treatment or coming in for wellness visits. I often pair it with Active Release Techniques®, adjustments or exercise.
The tool comes after the finding. Graston® is one I reach for when tissue needs it.
Dr. HeatherDC, MS, CCSP®
HOW IT WORKS
How Graston Technique® Works
Graston Technique® is a trademarked form of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM). After a light emollient is applied to the skin, the instruments are stroked along the muscle, tendon or fascia with controlled pressure.
The instruments pick up texture and restriction in the tissue, which helps pinpoint the problem area. Treatment then stimulates a local healing response and helps restricted tissue move more freely.
Because tissue that has been treated needs to be loaded to stay healthy, Graston® is usually followed by stretching or strengthening exercises.
What the research looks at: clinical trials and case studies on Graston® and instrument-assisted soft tissue work have looked at chronic heel pain and plantar fasciitis, hamstring and IT band flexibility, shoulder and knee range of motion, and chronic ankle instability. Like any tool, it works best as part of a plan. Browse the Graston Technique® research library →
What a Graston® Treatment Looks Like
- Warm up. Light movement or other treatment to prepare the area.
- Find it. The instruments help locate restriction and texture changes.
- Treat it. Controlled strokes over the tissue, at a pressure you can tolerate.
- Load it. Stretching or strengthening so the change holds up.
Mild redness or temporary bruising in the treated area is common and fades on its own. Tell us about blood thinners or easy bruising before treatment.
WHAT GRASTON® CAN HELP WITH
Graston Technique® for Tendon Pain, Plantar Fasciitis and Scar Tissue
Graston® tends to shine with long-standing tendon and fascia problems, and with tissue that tightened up as it healed.
Plantar Fasciitis & Heel Pain
Heel and arch pain that’s worst with your first steps, often with tight calves pulling on the foot.
Tendon Pain
Achilles, patellar and hamstring tendons, plus tennis and golfer’s elbow, especially when pain has hung on for months.
Shin Splints & Calf Tightness
Aching along the shin or a calf that feels like a rope, common when running mileage or time on your feet goes up.
Sprains, Strains & Scar Tissue
Old ankle sprains, pulled muscles and healed injuries that left an area stiff, thick or restricted.
Shoulder & Rotator Cuff
Irritated rotator cuff tendons and tight tissue around the shoulder blade that limit reaching and lifting.
IT Band, Hip & Low Back
Larger areas of tight fascia along the outer thigh, hip and low back, where instruments can cover ground efficiently.
When to get medical care first: sudden severe pain, a suspected broken bone, or new numbness, weakness or swelling with redness and warmth in a leg needs medical attention right away. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.
HOW CARE WORKS
How to Get Started with Graston® at Excelsior & Grand
Graston® can be a stand-alone session or part of your chiropractic care, so the first step is a quick conversation about what’s going on.
Graston® is a self-pay service, and HSA and FSA cards are accepted. Payment is due at the time of service.
01
Call Us or Ask at Your Visit
Call (952) 920-9247 and tell us what’s going on. Current patients can ask Dr. Heather at their next visit.
02
The Right Appointment
We’ll help you choose a stand-alone Graston® session for a specific injury, or add it to your chiropractic or wellness care.
03
Your Graston® Treatment
Dr. Heather treats the area at a pressure you can tolerate, often with ART®, laser or exercise when they fit.
04
Retest and Progress
Movement and symptoms are checked along the way, and care shifts toward exercises as you improve. The plan changes when you do.
THE E&G STANDARD
The Right Tool, for a Reason
Instrument-assisted soft tissue work is everywhere now. What matters is knowing which tissue to treat, how much is enough, and what you’ll do afterward so the change holds.
That’s the standard behind everything at Excelsior & Grand: understand first, choose the tool after the finding, explain the reason and adjust as you progress. When something else is the better answer, including a referral, you’ll hear it from us.
You have one body. Treat it with intention.
- Findings first. Graston® is chosen after we understand what’s going on.
- Enough, not more. Pressure and amount are matched to the tissue and how you respond.
- Part of a plan. Often paired with ART®, adjustments, Class 4 laser or exercise.
- Capacity, not dependence. Exercises that help you keep the progress on your own.
PATIENT STORIES
Why Patients Trust Excelsior & Grand
Minnesota Monthly Best Chiropractor, seven years running (2020–2026) · Read more reviews on Google →
GRASTON® FAQ
Graston Technique® Questions, Answered
Straight answers about how Graston® works, what it feels like and how to get started. Something else on your mind? Call (952) 920-9247.
What is Graston Technique®?
Graston Technique® is a trademarked form of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM). Specially shaped stainless steel instruments are used to find and treat areas of restricted or slow-healing muscle, tendon and fascia, usually followed by stretching or strengthening.
What conditions does Graston® help with?
Graston® is commonly used for plantar fasciitis, Achilles and patellar tendon pain, tennis and golfer’s elbow, shin splints, rotator cuff irritation, IT band tightness, and scar tissue after sprains, strains or other healed injuries. Whether it fits your situation depends on what your exam shows.
Does Graston® hurt?
Graston® doesn’t have to be aggressive, and it usually isn’t. It can feel uncomfortable over irritated tissue, but everyone’s pain tolerance is different, so pressure is matched to you and you can ask for less at any time.
Will Graston® leave bruises?
Mild redness or some light bruising in the treated area is common and usually fades within a few days. Let us know if you take blood thinners, bruise easily or have a skin condition in the area so treatment can be adjusted or skipped.
How is Graston® different from Active Release Techniques® (ART®)?
Graston® uses instruments over the skin. ART® uses the hands combined with movement. Instruments can cover larger areas and help detect texture in the tissue, while ART® is very targeted. Dr. Heather often uses both, choosing based on what she finds.
Is Graston® the same as the scraping tools I see online?
They’re related. Many scraping tools are forms of instrument-assisted soft tissue work, sometimes called IASTM. Graston Technique® is a specific, trademarked method with its own instruments and training. In the clinic, the tool matters less than knowing which tissue to treat, how much, and what comes next.
How many Graston® treatments will I need?
It depends on the area, how long the problem has been there and how you respond. Progress is checked along the way, and the plan adjusts as you improve.
Is Graston® only for athletes?
No. Runners and gym-goers use it often, but it’s just as useful for people on their feet all day, desk workers with elbow or wrist strain, and anyone with an old injury that never moved the same again.
Can Graston® help with fibromyalgia?
It depends on the person. Some patients with fibromyalgia really like Graston®, and for others it isn’t the right fit. Dr. Heather decides case by case, and there are gentler options when instrument work isn’t a good match.
Is Dr. Heather certified in Graston Technique®?
Yes. Dr. Heather holds a formal Graston Technique® certification. She is also a Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician® (CCSP®) with full-body Active Release Techniques® certification.
Can I get Graston® without being a chiropractic patient?
Yes. Graston® can be a stand-alone session for a specific injury or problem. It can also be added to chiropractic care during active treatment or wellness visits. Call us and we’ll help you choose the right appointment.
How do I book Graston®?
Call us at (952) 920-9247 so we can find the best appointment for what’s going on. If you’re a current patient, you can also ask Dr. Heather at your next visit.
Does insurance cover Graston®?
Graston® is generally a self-pay service, and you can use your HSA or FSA card. Payment is due at the time of service, and self-pay patients can ask for a Good Faith Estimate.
Where do I park?
We’re on the commercial side of The Elmwood apartments. The easiest option is the parking lot behind the building: come in through the main entrance, and our office is right inside on your left. Street parking is also available out front. If you park there, use the commercial entrance and follow the signs to our office at the back.
RECOVER · PERFORM · KEEP GOING
Stubborn Tissue Deserves a Plan
Call Excelsior & Grand Chiropractic in St. Louis Park, MN, serving Minneapolis, Edina, Golden Valley and Hopkins. Tell us what’s been hanging on, and we’ll help you find the right appointment.
Already a patient? Ask Dr. Heather about Graston® at your next visit, or Schedule a Visit online.