Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization
IASTM is the use of specific tools to treat the soft tissues; tendons, fascia and muscles. It has shown to be effective in the treatment of soft tissue pain and dysfunction. These tools are often (although not always) made of surgical steel with a variety of edges and thickness.
IASTM may be gaining popularity today, but there is evidence of these tools being used in ancient Greece and Italy in the bath houses. It may have travelled (and morphed) west from the Chinese treatment of Gua Sha, although this treatment is more damaging to the skin's capillaries than IASTM.
Patients undergoing IASTM treatment often report a ‘soothing’ experience, that can result in swift pain relief and improvement in movement at the region. It is just the beginning of the rehabilitation, the client will need to continue the healing process with rehabilitative exercise.
What are the benefits?
Reduce pain
Reduce muscle tension
Reduce scar tissue adhesions
Restore range of movement
Encourage tissue healing
Promote return to activity
What conditions can be treated with IASTM?
Tennis Elbow and Golfer's elbow
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Neck Pain
Plantar Fasciitis
Rotator Cuff Tendinitis
Patellar Tendinitis
Tibialis Posterior Tendinitis
Heel Pain /Achilles Tendinitis
DeQuervain's Syndrome
Post-Surgical and Traumatic Scars
Myofascial Pain and Restrictions
Musculoskeletal Imbalances
Chronic Joint Swelling Associated with Sprains/Strains
Ligament Sprains
Muscle Strains
Non-Acute Bursitis
RSD (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy)
Back Pain
Trigger Finger
Hip Pain (Replacements)
IT Band Syndrome
Shin Splints
Chronic Ankle Sprains
Acute Ankle Sprains (Advanced Technique)
Scars (Surgical, Traumatic)
Contraindications (i.e. cannot be done on people with...)
Open wound (unhealed suture site)
Unhealed fracture
Thrombophebitis
Uncontrolled hypertension
Patient intolerance/hypersensitivity
Hematoma
Osteomyolitis
Myositis ossificans
Haemophilia
Precautions (care when treating people with...)
Anti-coagulant medications
Cancer
Varicose Veins
Burn scars
Acute inflammatory conditions
Kidney dysfunction
Inflammatory condition secondary to infection
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Pregnancy
Here is a link to a short video explaining how IASTM works on fascia:
