Not that it's the same technique, but my ITB problems started to flare up this fall during marathon training. I got about 5 active release massages and it seemed to work. From I understand, Graston is somewhat of a different technique, is more painful, but is based on the same concept of realigning damaged tissue. Give it try. Triathlon magazine recently ran a story on different therapies. They reviewed both ART and Graston and gave them both thumbs up, but the author suggested another type of therapy (I don't remember it) as the best.

I have had Graston Technique done by my ART doc for ITB. Make sure that the doc or PT knows what they are doing because if done improperly could cause some damage. I have had success with a mix of Graston and ART but find Graston more painful.

Active release helped me out a lot with ITB problems. Graston has helped in the past as well, but it hurts a lot. The problem with Graston is that it bangs you up and as a result I think more time off is necassary.

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Jason Pedersen
RunPd.com - Running as fast I can since '93
@jasonpedersen

I've had something like Graston, don't recall what it was called. Done
by a PT on the recommendation of my sports medicine doc. Worked
for me to get me going again.

However, I think long term you need to take time off, ice, nsaids, and
then ease back in and get a quadballer for after every run.

IMO. YMMV.

-Jot

 graston will bruise you up a little but there is no more recovery time necessary than doing ART....bruise and discolor mucle fiber isnt a problem.....you can train on it...

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Jonathan Caron / Professional Coach / ironman champions / age group world champions
Jonnyo Coaching
Instargram

I agree with jonnyo. Graston worked extremely well for me, and I worked out with no issues that night. Bruising happens, but is not an issue and the fact that they work so deep gets you better, faster. It solved what deep tissue and e-stim, ultrasound, etc couldn't for 4 months. I'm a BIG fan of Graston. Just be ready to raise your pain threshold. Much, much more effective than ART.

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Gary Geiger
http://www.geigerphoto.com Professional photographer

TEAM KiWAMi NORTH AMERICA http://www.kiwamitri.com, Rudy Project http://www.rudyprojectusa.com, GU https://guenergy.com/shop/ ; Salming World Ambassador; https://www.shopsalming.com

I told my PT that there were guys who paid WAY MORE than $20/visit to get
abused like that.

-Jot

$35 and it worked immediately. Best money I ever spend on anything medical.

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Gary Geiger
http://www.geigerphoto.com Professional photographer

TEAM KiWAMi NORTH AMERICA http://www.kiwamitri.com, Rudy Project http://www.rudyprojectusa.com, GU https://guenergy.com/shop/ ; Salming World Ambassador; https://www.shopsalming.com

I get a combination of Graston and ART done on a very regular basis to keep healthy and overuse issues at bay. Works better than anything else I've ever tried (aside from not getting banged up in the first place but it's unavoidable during big build phases).

i think it depends on where the itband injury is located specifically on the leg if graston is being used and if its beneficial. it didnt help me on my lower part next to my knee, but did help near the hip. ART therapist helped a bit, but mostly i think the roller does wonders.

X2 on the foam roller

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Jason Pedersen
RunPd.com - Running as fast I can since '93
@jasonpedersen

I had a different problem, my meniscus on the inside left knee slipped a bit on a 1/2 marathon trail run while I was building for a 50k. Had a combination of Graston and ART done along with a really painful session that pushed the meniscus back where it belonged and didn't have to miss any training time, just had to run on flat ground rather than my hills and trails for a while. I'll echo the converts. It works. You get some bruises from the treatment, but the technique didn't hurt as much as the injury in my opinion.

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There is no justice, there is only me. -- Death

The other technique is ASTYM. Can't remember what it stands for, but the therapist I go to also calls it "scraping". Here is an article on it from the PT I go to. I swear by it. Has worked wonders on my legs in several locations and a shoulder issue.

http://www.endurancerehab.com/...hp?aid=astym-therapy

That was my PT used for me on my ITB.

Couldn't remember the name. Thanks.

-Jot

I go to the PT clinic for ITBS and am wondering if this is what I should be checking about? Stopped running and iced stretched blah, blah, blah for two weeks but couldn't get through 1/2 mile last night. I am ready to get healed and want to know if ASTYM is the way to go?

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Swim, Forrest, Swim. Bike, Forrest, Bike. Run, Forrest, Run.

I can only say that it worked for me. BUT, it doesn't cure ITBS.
After you get back on the road you need to stay on top of it with
a quadballer, IMO.

-Jot

My husband I have both had great results from Graston/ART combination for IT and PF.
It hurts like the devil and you will bruise but the results are worth the pain.

Went to the PT yesterday and sure enough they did ASTYM. Not as painful as I thought it would be, I kinda like it, but my leg is definitely bruised. Thought I would throw in a pic of the handiwork. I had no idea how good I would feel immediately after but it was tough to sleep on last night. Still no running for 2 weeks :( but I get to go back for another round next week :)

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Swim, Forrest, Swim. Bike, Forrest, Bike. Run, Forrest, Run.

Big fan of graston and ART, but my chiro that administers both treatments reminded me that I need to figure out what bio mechanically I am doing wrong to cause the scar tissue to build up and result in ITB or other injury. For me I needed a new bike fit and cleat adjustment. Every now and then when I'll use a spin bike that isn't well fit to me, my ITB will flare up. I can usually correct it with some rolling and icing.

What I am getting at is you shouldn't rely on Graston or any other kind of therapy as a fix forever. Try to determine what you are doing in your form/speed/equipment that is causing the injury and correct that.

I agree with you that this is just something to help me get back into action but is not the end solution. I am thinking cleat position may be the problem. Just have to find time and a good fitter to solve the problem.

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Swim, Forrest, Swim. Bike, Forrest, Bike. Run, Forrest, Run.

Yeah, my leg was black and blue from my knee to my hip. I think you got off light. :)

-Jot

1. The lady was kind of small
2. I don't bruise easy
3. I think she was afraid I would cry, or maybe she is waiting for next week to light me up.

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Swim, Forrest, Swim. Bike, Forrest, Bike. Run, Forrest, Run.