Shoulder Girdle and Graston Technique®: Evidence-Based Treatment
Presented by Mike Ploski
Nonfinancial: Mike Ploski has no competing nonfinancial interests or relationships with regard to the content presented in this course.
Shoulder dysfunction is a common complaint seen in the population, and it is also a common condition presenting for treatment to health care practitioners in clinical practice. Successful management of shoulder pain may be difficult due to the complexity of the shoulder girdle, as the shoulder joint is the most mobile joint in the body and the shoulder girdle involves multiple joints and muscle groups in addition to the shoulder joint itself. Muscle imbalances of the shoulder girdle are a common cause of shoulder dysfunction. Clinicians treating patients with shoulder dysfunction need to be highly skilled at assessing and treating these muscle imbalances. Graston Technique® is an evidence-based method of instrument-assisted soft-tissue mobilization combined with exercise that has been shown to be an effective intervention for the treatment of a variety of musculoskeletal conditions, including shoulder dysfunction. This course aims to educate physical therapists, occupational therapists, athletic trainers, and other manual therapists in effective applications of the Graston Technique® for the successful treatment of shoulder dysfunction.
Meet your instructor
Mike Ploski
Mike Ploski has been a certified athletic trainer since 1986 and a physical therapist since 1988. He has been board certified in orthopedics since 1998. He is a clinical advisor and instructor for Graston Technique, LLC. Trained by David Graston in 1996, he is one of the original Graston Technique® providers and original…
Chapters & learning objectives
1. Physiologic Effects of IASTM
The use of instrument-assisted soft-tissue mobilization (IASTM) to improve shoulder pain, ROM, and function is supported by moderate evidence. In this chapter, clinicians will learn the Graston Technique® protocol of IASTM combined with exercise to treat dysfunction of the shoulder girdle. The physiologic effects of IASTM are reviewed, in addition to a review of the supporting evidence.
2. GT Applications to the Posterior Shoulder and Scapulothoracic Region
Functional mobility of the scapulothoracic joint is essential to proper shoulder girdle function. In this chapter, clinicians will learn effective Graston Technique® applications to treat the various muscles involved with the scapulothoracic region. Instrument and stroke selection are reviewed, in addition to proper patient positioning.
3. GT Applications to the Anterior Shoulder and Axilla
In order to achieve the optimal therapeutic benefit of IASTM, clinicians need to be able to formulate an effective treatment plan. In this chapter, clinicians will learn effective Graston Technique® applications to treat the musculature of the anterior shoulder and axilla. Instrument and stroke selection are reviewed, in addition to proper patient positioning.
4. Clinical Integration and Patient Progression
When properly integrated into a plan of care, Graston Technique® can be an effective intervention in the treatment of shoulder dysfunction. In this chapter, clinicians will learn the indications, as well as the contraindications, for the use of Graston Technique®. Clinical integration of GT will be reviewed, in addition to patient progression through modification of various dosage parameters.
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