What is the IASTM?

Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization

Soft tissue injuries include damage to the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and fascia which is the connective tissue that runs through our entire bodies. Most commonly, these injuries occur from strains, sprains and chronic over use injuries. These injuries can cause inflammation, pain, and loss of range of motion. These chronic repeating injuries can cause adhesions to form. Tools are utilized to help remove these adhesions. This is IASTM, or Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization.

One popular technique is the Graston Technique. It helps relieve symptoms associated with limited or painful motion, motor control issues such as coordination or muscle activation, or muscle recruitment issues. Some of the common conditions that can be treated with IASTM are Achilles tendinosis, tendinopathies, IT band syndrome, rotator cuff injuries, and plantar fasciitis. These are just a few of the many injuries that IASTM can treat.

Benefits of IASTM

Frequently after you injure yourself you do not undergo the proper therapy. Weeks after injury the body start to heal the affected area and ultimately creating scar tissue for the injured area. IASTM works to mobilize and remove the scar tissue, create local inflammation to bring healing properties to the area to restore proper biomechanical function.

During the procedure, patients may have some discomfort, and may have some soreness in the area that was treated due to essentially reinjuring the area to promote healing. The number of treatments may vary from person to person, and injury to injury.

Exercise after the IASTM treatment is important. The muscles need to be utilized to restore proper function.