What is it?
Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization is a manual technique your physical therapist can perform using a plastic or metal tool or “blade.” Your therapist can perform IASTM using a variety or pressures and speeds to help healing and inflammation, facilitate a contraction (turn a muscle on), or inhibit a muscle (turn a muscle off).
How does it work?
Instruments effectively break down fascial restrictions and scar tissue. (Fascia is a fancy word for connective tissue that goes all over the body). The design of these instruments provides the therapist with the ability to find damaged areas and allows the therapist to treat the area with the appropriate amount of pressure.
The introduction of controlled small tissue damage to the affected muscles, tendons and/or ligaments causes a mild inflammatory response. This starts the natural process of healing. Adhesions(scars) within the tissues which may have developed as a result of surgery, immobilization, repeated strain or other mechanisms, are broken down allowing full functional restoration to occur.
Indications
- Limited motion
- pain during motion
- motor control issues
- Muscle recruitment issues
Conditions for which IASTM is usually used:
- Tennis and Golfer’s elbow
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Neck Pain
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Rotator Cuff Tendonitis
- Patellar Tendonitis
- Heel Pain /Achilles Tendinitis
- Post-Surgical and Traumatic Scars
- Myofascial Pain and Restrictions
- Muscle Imbalances
- Chronic Joint Swelling Associated with Sprains/Strains
- Ligament Sprains
- Muscle Strains
- Bursitis
- Back Pain
- Trigger Finger
- Hip Pain
- IT Band Syndrome
- Shin Splints
- Chronic Ankle Sprains
- Scars (Surgical, Traumatic)
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