Dr. Kyle Alexander, D.C. is an athlete I had worked with back in the day when I first started strength coaching at Columbus Academy.  He is now a respected chiropractor in the Columbus area and is going to provide us with a guest post about one of his specialties, the Graston Technique. 

Kyle graduated from the Palmer College of Chiropractic West and served an internship at the National Naval Medical Center.  His office is called Alexander Chiropractic and if you live in Columbus, is located in Clintonville.  He has handled all sorts of medical issues, but has really been helpful to endurance athletes and pregnancy related issues.  I will give you his website at the bottom of the post.

Without further ado, Dr. Alexander take it away:

Soft tissue injuries happen every day.  Whether you are sitting at a computer typing and clicking the mouse or in the gym throwing a kettle bell around, your body is sustaining many tiny injuries.  Microtrauma may sound insignificant, but if allowed to compound over time these injuries can not only become painful, but lead to reduced motion and even serious injury.

These microtraumas are nothing to sneeze at.

Think about your muscles as many small individual fibers that are grouped together.  Healthy muscle should be neatly organized with parallel fibers resembling uncooked noodles in a box.  Damaged tissue, when analyzed under a microscope, is disorganized and looks more like cooked noodles in a bowl.  Scar tissue is contractile by nature, so injured muscles get shorter and restricted.  The layers of fascia (connective tissue), muscle, and skin adhere to one another and develop a gritty texture.  These adhesions have weak blood flow, restricted motion and a greater potential for re-injury.  That’s why sometimes after an injury an athlete will rest, ice and ingest more anti-inflammatory drugs than even a racehorse would need, but he or she will return the gym or track just to re-injure the exact same tissue.

Enter the Graston technique.  Using a series of steel tools, Graston helps damaged tissues heal by breaking down the adhesions formed in an injury while realigning the muscles fibers.  This happens by creating a controlled microtrauma that leads to the release of growth factor, which stimulates new blood flow and nutrient delivery to the area.  The tools are made of steel, so doctors can readily feel  the vibration created by working an area with scar tissue and adhesions. There are six differently shaped tools with various beveled edges so just about any injured body part can benefit.

Common complaints helped by Graston technique include plantar fasciitis, rotator cuff problems, and hamstring injuries.  In conjunction with chiropractic care, prescribed stretches and exercises, athletes from many disciplines can be treated and returned to functional, pain free movement.  People training for triathlons, marathons, cycling events, cross-fit games and even weekend warriors have seen results quickly for injuries that they have struggled with for years.  Traditional chiropractic care is crucial to ensure proper movement in the joints of the spine and extremities, but by incorporating Graston technique to treat the connecting soft tissues the results are remarkable.

Chiropractors are a lot different than what they were even 10 years ago.

Many people do not know that chiropractic care is evolving.  What was once a profession of spine- only adjustments is moving toward a total body musculoskeletal treatment model.  The Graston technique is a unique, comprehensive treatment plan that is new to the evolving practice of modalities.

To visit Dr. Kyle Alexander, go to http://alexanderchiropractic.com.  Mention my name and this post and your first appointment in his office is free.

If you want to find a person who specializes in the Graston Technique that is in your area, go to http://grastontechnique.com.