Preview
Identifier
Winner, People's Choice
Creation Date
Spring 2020
Department
Kinesiology & Recreation
Narrative
The purpose of this research study is to examine the effects of Graston Technique on blood flow in the upper trapezius muscle. Non-specific neck pain effects two-thirds of the general population commonly due to trigger points present in the upper trapezius muscle. Daily activities such as sitting at desk, working on a computer, driving, and others lead to poor posture. Poor posture influences the upper trapezius muscle activity causing the muscle to become taut. When a muscle becomes taut the amount of blood flow received by the muscle tissue is decreased leading to the formation of trigger points. Graston Technique uses stainless-steel instruments with beveled edges to break down tight muscle tissue and increase blood flow to the treated tissue. Looking at this image from right to left, the skin appears to redden over the five-minute treatment time. This image displays the visible increase of blood flow to the treated muscle tissue over time during an application of Graston Technique. As the instrument is applied to the muscle tissue, blood flow rises to the surface becoming visible on the surface of the skin. An increase of blood flow to a taut muscle trigger point will provide a healing environment.