Graston Technique in Burnsville, MN — instrument-assisted soft-tissue therapy that breaks down scar tissue and adhesions to restore motion and speed injury recovery.
Eagle Trace Spine & Sport
Graston Technique in Burnsville
When an injury heals, the body lays down scar tissue — and that scar tissue can leave a muscle or tendon stiff, weak, and prone to re-injury long after the original problem should be gone. Graston Technique at Eagle Trace Spine & Sport uses specially designed instruments to find and break down those adhesions so the tissue can heal properly. It's a go-to tool for stubborn overuse injuries and old strains that never quite resolved.
Your clinician glides the instruments over the area to locate the exact adhesions and scar tissue driving your pain and stiffness.
Step 2
Targeted instrument work
Controlled strokes break down the restrictions and trigger a fresh healing response — brief, focused, and matched to what your tissue can tolerate.
Step 3
Reinforce with movement
We pair Graston with stretching, rehab, and chiropractic care so the freed-up tissue rebuilds strong and the injury doesn't simply return.
Why patients choose it
Benefits of graston technique
Breaks down scar tissue and adhesions from old injuries
Restores normal motion to stiff, restricted tissue
Speeds recovery from stubborn overuse injuries
Reduces chronic tendon and muscle pain
Complements chiropractic adjustments and rehab
Helps prevent re-injury by restoring healthy tissue
The basics
About graston technique
Healthy muscle, tendon, and fascia glide smoothly against one another. After an injury, surgery, or chronic overuse, the body repairs the area with disorganized scar tissue and adhesions that bind those layers together. The result is a tissue that feels tight, hurts with use, and doesn't tolerate load the way it should — which is why so many overuse injuries become chronic.
Graston Technique uses stainless-steel instruments contoured to the body. As the clinician glides them across the tissue, they can detect the rough, restricted areas and apply controlled pressure to break down the adhesions. That kick-starts a fresh healing response, brings circulation back to the area, and lets the tissue reorganize along healthy lines. Paired with adjustments and rehab, it's one of the most effective ways to get a stubborn soft-tissue injury moving again.
What is Graston Technique?
Graston Technique is a form of instrument-assisted soft-tissue mobilization (IASTM). Using specially designed stainless-steel instruments, a trained clinician can detect and treat areas of scar tissue, adhesions, and fascial restriction in muscles, tendons, and ligaments — the kind of damage that keeps an injury feeling stiff and weak long after it should have healed.
At Eagle Trace Spine & Sport in Burnsville, Dr. Jeff Plaster pairs Graston with chiropractic care and rehab so the technique does more than provide temporary relief — it helps the tissue heal in a way that lasts.
What to expect
Your clinician begins by gliding the instruments over the affected area. Restricted, scarred tissue feels different under the instrument, which helps pinpoint exactly where the problem is. From there, controlled strokes break down the adhesions and stimulate a fresh healing response.
Sessions are short and focused. You may feel some tenderness, and minor short-term bruising is normal as circulation returns to the area. Most patients are surprised how much looser the tissue feels even after the first few visits — especially when Graston is combined with stretching and the right rehab exercises.
Who it helps
Graston Technique is a strong fit for patients dealing with:
Graston works best as part of an integrated plan — not a standalone fix. Dr. Jeff Plaster’s team combines it with chiropractic care, Active Release Technique, and targeted rehab so the freed-up tissue rebuilds strong. Visit our new patients page or contact us to find out whether Graston is right for your injury.
Still have questions? Contact us — we're happy to help.
Does Graston Technique hurt?+
You may feel pressure and some tenderness over restricted areas, and mild short-term bruising is normal. It shouldn't be sharp or unbearable — your clinician adjusts pressure to what you tolerate, and most patients find it very manageable.
What conditions does Graston help most?+
It works especially well for soft-tissue injuries with scar tissue or chronic tightness — plantar fasciitis, tennis and golfer's elbow, rotator-cuff issues, shin splints, and lingering strains that never fully healed.
How many sessions will I need?+
Many patients notice improvement within a few sessions; a typical course runs several visits over a few weeks, often paired with adjustments and rehab. Dr. Plaster will include a recommendation in your care plan after your exam.
Is the bruising normal?+
Light bruising or redness over treated areas can happen and fades within a few days. It's a normal part of the healing response the technique stimulates. Let your clinician know if you bruise easily so they can tailor the pressure.
“After being in a car accident in December, I received a mailer from Dr. Plaster at Eagle Trace Chiropractic. I’d never sought chiropractic care after an accident before, but something told me to schedule an evaluation—and I’m so glad I did.
One of the things that immediately stood out was how thorough the initial appointment was. They took X-rays, and Dr. Plaster reviewed them with me right then and there. He explained exactly what he was seeing, where the problem areas were, and how they were contributing to the pain I had been living with—all in a way that was easy to understand without ever feeling overwhelming. His knowledge is incredibly impressive, but what really sets him apart is his ability to connect with people. You can tell he genuinely cares about every patient, and the fact that he’s learned multiple languages to better serve his community speaks volumes about the kind of person he is.
Since starting care at Eagle Trace, my body has done a complete 180. The chronic pain and tension in my neck and shoulders have improved more than I ever thought possible. I move better, I hurt less, and I honestly feel like I have a much better quality of life. It’s opened a door I didn’t even know existed.
My treatment plan was thoughtfully designed around my specific injuries and included adjustments, the rolling table, neck and lower back decompression, massage therapy, and SoftWave therapy. Every part of my care felt intentional, and every member of the team played an important role in my recovery.
The massage therapists are phenomenal, and the front desk staff are truly the heart of the office. They’re the same wonderful people who help with decompression treatments, and they’re always kind, welcoming, attentive, and encouraging. Every visit feels personal because they genuinely care about how you’re doing. They also went above and beyond to help me navigate my auto insurance claim, making sure I understood my coverage and handling so much of the process. They even offered to connect me with an attorney if I ran into issues with insurance. Knowing they were advocating for me took so much stress off my shoulders. They also have very reasonable self-pay rates, making exceptional care accessible.
I walked into Eagle Trace unsure whether chiropractic care would really make a difference for me. Today, I’m a firm believer because of the life-changing care I’ve received from Dr. Plaster and his incredible team. If you’ve been in a car accident—or you’re simply living with chronic pain—I cannot recommend Eagle Trace Chiropractic highly enough.”
ABAnna BatzVerified review · Google”
“Very nice facilities, the girls in front excellent, they really are. Dr Jeff Plaster, great guy, polite, and very professional and very thorough, he will explain every thing to you. then he will crack your back and neck , he has a good touch. and you will start to feel good. then you go to the rollers. Love them . the rollers really complete the experience. love them. All in all , its a good experience to get your adjustment for the back . I would say
it's a 5 star experience. Thank you All.”
GCGregory ClearyVerified review · Google”
“It was a wonderful experience! Highly recommend, I will definitely be back…”
