 Graston technique is a unique, evidence-based form of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization that enables clinicians to effectively address soft tissue lesions and fascial restrictions, resulting in improved patient outcomes.
When you combine Graston technique with some of the exercises we give you in the clinic it’s going to help you improve your motion and function. This tool kind of looks like a butter knife, some are in an s shape and are different in thickness and size.
With this stainless steel tool It works in a way that your hands or other tools cannot. This helps Set Graston apart because the whole patten is inside the edge and curvature. You can purchase a tool like it on amazon, but you won’t get the same results. Tony feels like when using it on himself and on patients it works great!
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 Kinesio Taping is a stretchy, moveable tape. It comes in different colors and stabilizes the injured area lightly by adhering to the skin and applying pressure to the tissues the tape is wrapped around. This is very popular with Olympic athletes who use this tape to alleviate pain and improve blood flow!
They sell Kinesio tape at stores like CVS that you can purchase and use at home. It is important to make sure skin is dry, oil free, no lotion, and sweat free. You should try to not get the tape wet for an hour after it is applied. They say it's heat activated so you'll have a better adhesion if it is gently warmed up with a hairdryer- don't hold too close! Natural movement of the body will generate enough heat to give it a good stick as well! Mostly all tapes are water resistant. Just read the back of the box to make sure yours is! I believe they all offer water resistant tapes such as Kinesio, Kt and rock tape.  Cupping is supposed to draw fluid into the area; the discoloration is due to broken blood vessels beneath the skin. This is an ancient Chinese practice where the silicon cup will be applied to reduce skin-pressure by suctioning the air out. As this happens the muscle layer is going to be drawn into the cup and held.
We use Rock pods made by a company called Rock tape. These silicon cups stick to your skin to treat pain, mobility and movement function. Typically used on the neck, back shoulders, hips, thighs, lower legs, and upper arms. When the pods are applied they will use a negative or de compressive pressure. This will help treat chronic pain and relieve tension. Rock pods help treat chronic pain and relieve tension. The cups will bend to your skin and allow you to move with them. Our pods can be moved, and you can slide them to wherever you want! With our pods they can be left on while laying, sitting and even in your movements you do for sports. They can be used in all different ways. Sometimes you’ll see it creates those welts on the skin, that's the negative pressure drawing blood up to the surface. Cupping is usually always used with hands on techniques such as massage during your physical therapy session.  Today Tony talks electrolytes! Patients have been asking Tony what he uses to replenish and what they should be using.
Each person has about 100 sweat glands that are about a quarter the size of your skin which makes you have about a total of 2.6 million sweat glands. The amount of sweat you excrete will depend on gender, fitness level, weather conditions, and altitude. The importance of sweating is to cool your body down. When you work out your body temperature will increase and can rise anywhere up to 3 degrees and that will trigger your body to start sweating. When that happens you'll lose water and electrolytes. What are electrolytes? Electrolytes are substances that have a natural positive or negative electrical charge when dissolved in water. They help your body regulate chemical reactions, maintain the balance between fluids inside and outside your cells! What do electrolytes do? Magnesium, calcium, potassium and sodium are critical to body function. They help balance the amount of water in your body and help maintain body PH levels. How much electrolytes do you need? The amount of electrolytes you will need will vary by person. Tony’s favorite electrolyte supplement is UCAN Hydrate Powder. It comes with a scooper and you just add a little bit to your water! What are the signs of electrolyte imbalance? Signs of electrolyte imbalances can lead to decrease in performance, muscle spasms, weak, dizzy, tired, nauseous, constipated, dry mouth, dry skin,urine and pain. A large majority of muscle cramping can also be due to lack of muscle fitness too. So this could just mean you are overworking your muscles. This is why electrolytes are so important! They regulate and control the balance of fluids in the body. Stay hydrated!! |
AuthorDr. Tony Tanzi: Physical Therapist, Triathlete, Runner, Performance Coach 
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