TREATMENT IN NW Portland Graston Technique (IASTM)
Certified care for soft tissue injuries and chronic pain relief
At our NW Portland clinic—just minutes from Slabtown, the Pearl District, and downtown—we offer expert Graston Technique, also known as Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM). This advanced, hands-on treatment is ideal for athletes and non-athletes alike who want to relieve pain, restore movement, and heal from stubborn injuries.
What is the Graston Technique?
Graston Technique is a specialized form of manual therapy that uses precision stainless steel tools to detect and treat scar tissue, fascial restrictions, and soft tissue dysfunction. It’s clinically proven to help people recover from injuries faster by improving mobility, decreasing inflammation, and stimulating healing.
We are certified providers of this technique, ensuring you get expert care with every treatment.
Benefits of Graston Technique
- Increases mobility and flexibility
- Breaks up scar tissue and adhesions
- Reduces pain and stiffness
- Speeds up soft tissue healing
- Enhances athletic recovery and performance
Conditions Graston Technique Helps Treat
How We Treat with Graston / IASTM
At our clinic, we use Graston Technique as part of a comprehensive plan tailored to your specific goals. Treatments are often combined with chiropractic adjustments, laser therapy, massage therapy, or therapeutic exercise to improve outcomes.
Whether you’re dealing with a nagging sports injury or stiffness from sitting all day, we design your treatment to target the root cause—not just the symptoms.
What Our Patients Are Saying
How Graston Therapy Helps You Heal Faster
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Meet Your Team
Our certified providers have decades of experience treating both high-performance athletes and everyday individuals with real-world injuries. From Olympic medalists to active professionals and weekend hikers, we bring proven care to everyone who walks through our doors.
Our mission is simple: keep you doing what you love—without pain holding you back.
Dr. Chris Zander
Dr. Zander has developed a reputation for being one of the top Chiropractors on the West Coast and is a post President of the Oregon Chiropractic Association. Due to his training and experience, he has had success with patients that felt other specialties, including Chiropractic, had not helped them in the past. He is dedicated to treating patients safely and effectively to get them well, stay and live happy healthy lives.
During his career he has worked with top NHL draft picks, PGA tour champions, Olympians and NFL, NBA, MLS, NWSL, X Games and collegiate athletes. His passion and success comes from helping people get out of pain and return to and continue doing the everyday things they love! Dr. Z is a Florida native and a graduate of the University of Illinois with biology and chemistry degrees. At the U of I he was a Big Ten X-C mountain bike champion and forward for the club soccer team. He later attended Western States Chiropractic College in Portland, Oregon to earn his doctorate of Chiropractic and is currently an adjunct professor there.
Following graduation from the University of Illinois, Dr. Zander was a prominent figure in rheumatology and arthritis research at Northwestern University’s Feinberg Medical School on Chicago’s magic mile. He was credited as a “viral expert”, important for studying the genetic cause and effect on arthritis. He co-authored in the medical journals, “Blood” and “Nature of Immunology” for research regarding the molecular causes of arthritis and joint degeneration.
Dr. Zander fulfilled his Chiropractic residency under the direction of the US Olympic, Portland Timbers, and Winterhawks chiropractor and continues to stay involved with the most current and up-to-date research and treatment advancements. He attends continuing education courses and seminars regularly and has benefited from the mentoring of some of the most prominent chiropractors and sports medicine doctors in the profession. He is now making an effort to give back as an adjunct professor and lecturer. He has had the opportunity to work with many professional PGA tour golfers, professional and extreme sports athletes, skiers and snowboarding, runners, and ultra-marathoners.
His leadership and dedication to his patients and profession led to his colleagues nominating and electing him as the (now past) President of the Oregon Chiropractic Association. He utilizes knowledge gained from these experiences as well as extensive training in Chiropractic adjustment technique to provide his patients with professional, quality diagnosis and care.
Dr. Zander currently lives in Portland, Oregon and has been practicing chiropractic in the PNW since 2006. His passion lies in helping people reach their best level of health without the need for drugs or surgery. In addition, he has developed a great team of referral sources in Portland for Physical Therapy, Medicine, Naturopathic, Acupuncture, and Massage Therapy to make sure each patient is getting the right care and treatment they need.
Dr. David Higginson
With nearly two decades of chiropractic experience, Dr. David brings a broad and well-rounded background to the clinic. Over the course of his career, he has practiced in a variety of settings, including owning and managing his own clinic, working as an associate chiropractor, and teaching as an attending physician at a chiropractic university. For the past ten years, he has focused extensively on pediatric and prenatal chiropractic care as part of a specialized clinic.
Dr. David earned his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Western States Chiropractic College in Portland, Oregon, graduating Cum Laude. His clinical skills include both diversified and low-force spinal and extremity adjustments. He holds certifications in sports chiropractic, instrument assisted techniques, pediatric and prenatal care, soft tissue therapy, and physical therapy modalities such as rehabilitative exercise and electrotherapy.
Originally from British Columbia, Dr. David moved to Portland in 2002. Outside the clinic, he stays active with his family, coaching and cheering on his three teenage sons in ultimate frisbee and basketball, enjoying the outdoors and walking his pug with his partner.
Shinichiro, LMT
Shinichiro is a graduate of East West College and is eager to share his knowledge with the Backsmith Community. He provides personalized, intuitive based massage therapy for our patients. He utilizes a variety of different techniques such as Swedish, Deep Tissue and
Myofascial.
Originally from Kyoto, Japan, Shinichiro has lived in Portland for the past few years. In his free time, he enjoys playing with his dog, swimming, playing the piano, and relaxing in the hot springs.
Oddessa, LMT
Oddessa is excited to join the Backsmith team after her return back home to the PNW. Her work includes Swedish, Deep Tissue, Myofascial release, assisted movement and CranioSacral Therapy. She loves to learn and is continuing to develop her understanding of the embodied experience. In her spare time she enjoys walks with her rescue hound and practicing yoga.
Delaney, LMT
Delaney is a graduate of East West College of the Healing Arts with a deep passion for bodywork and holding space for healing. Her practice is grounded in presence, intuition, and informed technique. She offers a range of modalities including assisted stretching, trigger point therapy, relaxation, deep tissue, and Craniosacral – each session tailored to meet the unique needs of the individual. Delaney sees massage as a collaborative process and an honor to be part of each client’s healing journey.
Outside of the treatment room, you can find her outdoors – camping, backpacking, hiking or making music with friends.
Kiki, CA
Kiki has an athletic background in collegiate volleyball, MMA and Brazilian Jiu Jitus, where she developed a deep response for the body’s strength, resilience, and need for recovery. Her experiences inspired her to transition into healing arts. She’s now combining that passion with hands-on care as a chiropractic assistant, helping people rehabilitate and maintain physical health. Currently studying massage therapy, she is excited to continue supporting others through bodywork, movement, and compassionate, informed touch.
Karina, front office
Karina was born and raised in Northern California and moved to the beautiful PNW in 2007. She played collegiate soccer at Warner Pacific College in Portland, where she graduated with a bachelors in psychology. Her love of sports inspired a career in the healthcare industry and her passion for people’s well-being inspired a career in patient care.
In her spare time Karina enjoys spending time with her wife and doodle and of course, catching a Portland Thorns or Timbers game.
Frequently Asked Questions
You may feel some discomfort or soreness, especially if the area has significant tightness or scar tissue—but it’s generally well-tolerated and short-lived.
That depends on the severity and duration of your condition, but most people start seeing improvements within a few visits.
Yes. When performed by a certified provider like us, Graston is a safe and effective method for treating soft tissue conditions.
Yes—we offer flexible pricing and discounted packages for patients paying at the time of service.
Service Areas
We proudly serve the following areas in Portland:
- NW Portland
- Slabtown
- The Pearl District
- Nob Hill
- Downtown Portland
- Goose Hollow
- All Surrounding Portland Communities