Question
Dear Dr. Burnham, Are you familiar with the Graston Technique of soft tissue mobilization for breaking down scar tissue? I ask because I am considering going to see a certified practitioner for a problem I have, and would like to learn a bit more about it before I make an appointment so that I can go in well informed. I have what I strongly suspect is a small mass of scar tissue in my lower back - the result of a neglected, years old injury (it's in the soft tissue a couple of inches away from the spine, not the spine). Anyway, I take much better care of my back now (now that I am older and wiser) and I have sought relief from the mild (but persistent and chronic) discomfort through the practice of yoga, regular stretching, and even through regular massage sessions, to break up the small mass, but while these efforts have helped, they have not totally fixed the problem. If you are familiar with the Graston Technique, does this sound like an issue that might benefit from the technique? Even if you are not familiar with the technique, have any thoughts or suggestions?
Thank you in advance for your time and expertise!
Jen Hanis

Answer
i am not familiar with this form of therapy. i am a chiropractor, not a therapist, and as such i do not practice the treatment of symptoms, but the correction of nerve interference, the most common cause of a wide variety of health problems. being a true Doctor of Cause, i would determine wether or not nerve interference was present which, if not the initial cause of the scarring, was possibly preventing it's healing to the greatest extent possible. if you are interested in regaining your health, i suggest you seek out an HIO METHOD chiropractor. i would accept no substitutes.