Graston Technique®, ASTYM, FAKTR, SASTM, Gua Sha - A Brief Explanation & Commentary

The (now patented) Narson Body Mechanic N6

Graston Technique®, ASTYM, FAKTR, SASTM, Gua Sha are all forms of IASTM (Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization). The purpose of which is to break down scar tissue and adhesions that are causing multi-layered soft tissue restriction and adversely affecting the dynamic function of the underlying muscles, tendons, fascia & fascial planes, ligaments, etc. These restrictive scars and adhesions can be from old injuries, surgeries, repetitive strain (like carpal tunnel), mis-use or improper use of your body when working, playing, doing sports or just from the day-to-day activities of your normal life. They happen from car accident, sitting in front of a computer too much for too long or from childhood bumps and bruises that were never really attended too properly. 

 There are some minor difference between the techniques I mentioned above however ultimately, all are very effective for the right conditions. However effectiveness doesn't depend so much on the original coursework or specific technique, but the experience of the practitioner and the accuracy of their diagnosis coupled with proper application of the technique. 

 One thing I want to "get off my chest" is that Graston Technique® & ASTYM aren't new techniques. Your doctor or therapist may have just learned it and is all excited about it, but these techniques have been around for over 20 years with the original research being done at Ball State University. Gua Sha actually dates back to the 5th &; 7th centuries (roughly 700-BC to 500-AD). FAKTR & SASTM have been around since the mid to late 2000 respectively

IASTM techniques are not simply the use of instruments to loosen or remove adhesions and provoke an acute inflammatory response, but it’s the follow up treatment, stretching, therapies, resistance, rehab & anti-inflammatory nutrition that completes the techniques and is equally as important. Otherwise, you're simply doing Gua-Sha/Instrument Massage and without the proper follow-up, you can expect the symptoms and condition to return. Sometimes, they’ll return with a vengeance. This is why you want a fully trained (and experienced) practitioner performing this on you or your athletes.

Having become certified in Graston Technique® M1 & M2 in 2002 and several years ago, trained in FAKTR-PM (now known simply as FAKTR), 11 years of the last 20 years using IASTM full time in my practice, weekend excursions as a member of the sports medicine team at local sporting events, a 10 day rotation at the 2006 Central American & All Caribbean Games and 10 days at the 2011 Pan American Games, all gives me a unique experience and perspective in the practical application of IASTM. You’ll find many others with varied but similar experience. 

Some of the most important factors for providing good IASTM are: 

1. A good physical exam 

2. Sports specific examination of their injury 

3. Creativity -Thinking outside the box (and sometimes outside the walls of your clinic) 

As a result of my experience with Graston Technique®, FAKTR and IASTM in general, I developed my own instrument design known as the Narson Body Mechanic N6. The design is patented in Canada and I’m very proud to announce that it has been awarded a US Patent as well (just received the certificate today!!). The reason I designed this instrument was out of my constant need to be more efficient with IASTM. The design affords me the ability to carry all of the most useful IASTM instruments with me in one convenient tool. No longer do I have to carry a kit of tools with me. No longer do I have to clean multiple instruments between patients. I have everything in one hand at all times. The design includes a non-slip gripping surface which reduces tool slippage and reduces practitioner finger & hand fatigue which, the longer you do IASTM with real highly polished stainless steel instruments, you’ll come to appreciate. The other thing most of us in the USA can appreciate is that it’s the only useful “multi-tool” for IASTM that is made from 100% U.S. steel and made 100% by hand right here in the U.S.A., although I have seen some copycats popping up here and there.

When it comes to giving effective IASTM, the most important thing to remember is after a good base education, it’s the wealth of experience along with the doctor’s (or therapist) ability to be creative. From my experience, it's thinking outside the box that matters most, coupled with a good nutrition plan, rehab and anti-inflammatory therapies and the results will astound. It’s very possible with IASTM to take long time chronic injuries-treat them with IASTM and have the athlete back out playing the same day or the next day. 

This year I have helped a multitude triathletes get back into their training to complete in the full Ironman triathlon. Others are back training to complete 26.2 distance marathons and half marathons and some people are back into their workout routine because of the proper application of IASTM. Often you’ll find me at the pool, the track, with a cyclist on an indoor trainer or running on the sidewalk with a patient working with them while they do their sport. For me, putting a person in the exact environment that produces their symptoms is the only way to resolve the problem. Just like anything else in life, experience matters and creative matters. Even with IASTM.

'nuff said 

 Dr. T 

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 Dr. Narson is a 2-term past president of the Florida Chiropractic Association’s Council on Sports Injuries, Physical Fitness & Rehabilitation and was honored as the recipient of the coveted Chiropractic Sports Physician of the Year Award in 1999-2000. He practices in Miami Beach, Florida at the Miami Beach Family & Sports Chiropractic Center; A Facility for Natural Sports Medicine.

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Headaches | Is Chiropractic Care Effective?

By Miami Beach Chiropractor | Chiropractic Sports Medicine Specialist - Todd M. Narson, DC, DACBSP, ICSSD

Most people don't know the story, but yours truly became a chiropractic physician BECAUSE of migraine headaches.  I remember my first headache as an 11 year old boy. The trigger was an intense puff of cigarette smoke that was blown in my face.  I remember it like it was yesterday.  After the smoke came a coughing fit. Within a few minutes I had an intense flashing green spot in my vision that grew and grew until all I had was peripheral vision about 30 minutes later.  It was followed by an intense sensitivity to light and then of course, this gnawing dull aching throbbing pounding headache that lasted for 2 days.  After the episode was over my mother took me to the family physician. He examined me, looked in my eyes and found nothing but wrote a prescription for percocet.

I began getting headaches every 2 weeks. The headaches would all develop the same way. I'd get a little "hot spot" in my vision (like if you momentarily looked into the sun on a bright day). The size of the hot spot would grow, encompass my central vision. Then the visual symptoms would subside and the severe dull aching throbbing pounding headache would start.  Back then it would last for as little as 12 hours to as much as 48 hours. Then there was the "migraine aftershock".  Photo-phobia(sensitivity to light), nausea, the feeling of your brain rattling around inside your head when you took a hard step or tried to run.  I was one of the luckier ones, I only got nauseous. Many people who get migraines actually vomit.

My parents took my to various doctors and specialists and no one could figure out what was going on. I was prescribe a variety of medications from Percocet to Valium.  None of which really helped any more than dulling the pain a little. When I was 17, I called my dad from high school and told him I was getting a migraine and could he bring me the Valium. Instead he checked me out of school and took me to the chiropractor he was going to for his back pain.  The chiropractor examined me and then adjusted my neck.   He told my father to take me home, put me to bed and see how I was the next day.  When I woke up, there was no pain, no migraine and no "aftershock".  I was amazed. Having lived with these migraine headaches since I was 11, there never any treatment or medication that helped take it all away.  Through some coaxing from my parents, the chiropractic talked to me about becoming a chiropractor.  The rest as I'm sure you've figured out, is history.

But now that I am a professional that helps people with headaches and other conditions, you (or I in this case) have to ask are chiropractic spinal adjustments really effective for migraine and other types of headaches. As it turns out, not am I not the only chiropractor that has successfully treated patients with headaches, there is a growing body of evidence being published that also shows its effectiveness.

So what comes around-goes around. If you're a consumer, there's more than drugs, ice packs, hot packs and massage to treat your headaches. If I'm able to help you find your way to a competent local chiropractor, then I'm happy I was able to help you as Dr. B.J. Harmon helped me when I was 11.

Here are some of references and excerpts from some of the published research out there:

• Chiropractic spinal manipulative treatment of migraine headache of 40-year duration using Gonstead method: a case study. 
• The effectiveness of chiropractic manipulation in the treatment of headache: an exploration in the literature.
• Dose response for chiropractic care of chronic cervicogenic headache and associated neck pain: a randomized pilot study.
• A case of chronic migraine remission after chiropractic care.

Nowadays, with regular care, I get 1, maybe two headaches per year. With an adjustment during the "aura" phase, they last only a few hours now, if that. What a difference.

A Special Thank you to Dr. B.J. Harmon for helping me when I was a young boy and directing me into this great profession.

'Nuff Said


Dr. T

Dr. Narson is a 2-term past president of the Florida Chiropractic Association’s Council on Sports Injuries, Physical Fitness & Rehabilitation and was honored as the recipient of the coveted Chiropractic Sports Physician of the Year Award in 1999-2000. He practices in Miami Beach, Florida at the Miami Beach Family & Sports Chiropractic Center; A Facility for Natural Sports Medicine.

Dr Narson was a member of the COPAG International Chiropractic Sports Medicine Team at the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico. 

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Dr. Narson Announces The Opening Of The New Office

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Dr. Narson is a 2-term past president of the Florida Chiropractic Association’s Council on Sports Injuries, Physical Fitness & Rehabilitation and was honored as the recipient of the coveted Chiropractic Sports Physician of the Year Award in 1999-2000. He practices in Miami Beach, Florida at the Miami Beach Family & Sports Chiropractic Center; A Facility for Natural Sports Medicine.

#chiropractormiamibeach #MiamiBeachChiropractor #SportsInjuriesFixedHere #DrNarson #ToddNarson #Narson #TriDoc #TriathlonDoc #ChiropracticSportsMedicine #ACASC #SportsMedicine #SportsChiropractor #MiamiBeachSportsMedicine #SportsMedicineMiami #MiamiSportsMedicine #MiamiChiropractor #Triathlon #Running #Ironman #IFixPeopleInPain #TrainWithoutPain #MiamiBeachChiropractor #GrastonTechnique #FAKTR #IASTM #Chiropractor #FootPain #Narson #NarsonBodyMechanic #NarsonTool #DACBSP #CCSP #ACBSP #BackPain #NeckPain #ShoulderPain #RotatorCuff #ITBandSyndrome #runnersKnee #PlantarFasciitis #Plantarfascitis #AchillesTendonitis #AchillesTendonosis #GettingAthletesBackInTheGame  #MiamiBeachChiropractor #MiamiSportsMedicine #MiamiBeachSportsMedicine #WeFixPeopleInPain #TrainWithoutPain #ChiropracticSportsMedicine #ACASC #ProSportChiropractic #FunctionalMedicineMiami #DrNarson #BackPainRelief #NeckPainRelief #SportsInjuriesFixedHere #LaserTherapy #RockTape #KinesioTape #KTTape #Nutrition #21DayPurificationProgram #DetoxProgram #PaleoDiet #PaleoDoc #FunctionalNutrition #Chirooractor #Chiropractic #ChiropracticPhysician #DoctorOfChiropractic #USATriathlon #USAT #TeamUSA