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Graston Technique: instrument-assisted soft-tissue work

The Graston Technique is a branded form of instrument-assisted soft-tissue work (IASTM), in which hand-held instruments with smooth edges are moved along the skin over a sore area. At our Ross Township office it is provided by Dr. LeGault, a Graston Technique provider. Research reviews disagree about how much it adds: a 2025 review found short-term pain relief when it was added to other care such as exercise, while a 2023 review found no meaningful extra benefit.

Reviewed by Dr. Steven K. LeGault, DC on

What is the Graston Technique?

It is one brand of instrument-assisted soft-tissue mobilization (IASTM): hands-on work in which smooth-edged instruments are moved along the skin over the muscles and tendons being treated.

IASTM is the general name for this kind of care, and Graston is one branded method of it. Other tools work in a similar way, including the traditional scraping practice known as gua sha. The research reviews below group these tools together, and none shows that one brand works better than another.

What does Graston treatment feel like?

You feel the smooth edge of the instrument moving along your skin with firm pressure over the area being treated.

Tell Dr. LeGault if the pressure is more than you are comfortable with.

Who should ask before having Graston treatment?

Everyone should tell Dr. LeGault about their health conditions and the medicines they take before treatment, so he can check that soft-tissue work suits them.

Which problems has it been studied for, and how strong is the evidence?

It has been studied mainly for neck pain, neck-related headaches, and heel, ankle and shoulder pain, and the evidence is mixed and short-term.

Because the findings are mixed and short-term, we do not present Graston treatment as a proven treatment.

How does Graston treatment fit with exercise?

The trials tested it as an add-on to other care, usually exercise, so it belongs alongside an exercise program rather than on its own.

Who provides Graston treatment at LeGault Chiropractic?

Dr. LeGault, a Graston Technique provider, provides it at our office.

What are the side effects of Graston treatment?

Safety reporting in the trials is incomplete, so the research cannot say how often side effects happen; it is not risk-free.

When is soft-tissue work not the right first step?

When symptoms suggest a broken bone, a severe injury or a problem that needs a medical doctor, get that checked first.

Questions, answered

Is Graston the same as gua sha or “scraping”?

They are related. Both move a smooth-edged tool along the skin. Graston is a branded method with its own instruments and training; the research reviews on this page group the tools together and do not show that one works better than another.

Does insurance cover Graston treatment?

Coverage depends on your plan. Call 412-364-4100 and we can check your benefits before your first visit.

Dr. Steven K. LeGault, DC sees patients on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturdayinsurance plans we acceptJust off McKnight Road, on-site parking

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References

  1. 2025 meta-analysis of instrument-assisted soft-tissue work: Tang S, Sheng L, Wei X, et al. The effectiveness of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization on pain and function in patients with musculoskeletal disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2025;26(1):257. doi:10.1186/s12891-025-08492-4 (opens another site)

    Added to other care, it reduced pain more than the other care alone at the end of treatment (moderate certainty); function less certain.

  2. 2023 meta-analysis: Nazari G, Bobos P, Lu SZ, et al. Effectiveness of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization for the management of upper body, lower body, and spinal conditions. An updated systematic review with meta-analyses. Disabil Rehabil. 2023;45(10):1608-1618. doi:10.1080/09638288.2022.2070288 (opens another site)

    No meaningful extra improvement in pain or function at up to one year (very low certainty); only 10 of 46 trials reported side effects.

  3. Heel pain clinical practice guideline (2023): Koc TA Jr, Bise CG, Neville C, et al. Heel Pain - Plantar Fasciitis: Revision 2023. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2023;53(12):CPG1-CPG39. doi:10.2519/jospt.2023.0303 (opens another site)

    Strongest grade for manual therapy (joint and soft-tissue techniques, including instrument-assisted work) for heel pain; described as low risk.

  4. Ankle sprain clinical practice guideline (2021): Martin RL, Davenport TE, Fraser JJ, et al. Ankle Stability and Movement Coordination Impairments: Lateral Ankle Ligament Sprains Revision 2021. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2021;51(4):CPG1-CPG80. doi:10.2519/jospt.2021.0302 (opens another site)

    Severe injuries need medical assessment; a suspected fracture, inability to bear weight, marked swelling or deformity call for prompt assessment.

  5. Neck pain clinical practice guideline (2017): Blanpied PR, Gross AR, Elliott JM, et al. Neck Pain: Revision 2017. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2017;47(7):A1-A83. doi:10.2519/jospt.2017.0302 (opens another site)

    Clinicians screen for serious problems (infection, cancer, arterial problems, fracture) and refer for medical care when needed.

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