What is Instrumented Assisted Soft Tissue Manipulation?

Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilisation or Simply (IASTM) is a therapy tool which enables clinicians to efficiently locate and treat individuals diagnosed with soft tissue dysfunction. IASTM is a rapidly growing therapy rising in popularity due to its effectiveness and efficiency while remaining non-invasive.

IASTM is performed with ergonomically designed instruments that:

• Detect and treat fascial restrictions
• Encourage rapid localization and effectively treat areas exhibiting soft tissue fibrosis
• Support positive inflammatory effects to promote healing
• Prevent tissue degeneration

As in any Manual therapy treatment, supplementation with exercises and additional modalities e.g. joint mobilization designed to correct biomechanical deficiencies by addressing musculoskeletal strength and muscle imbalances throughout the entire kinetic chain is used in conjunction with IASTM.

How does it work?

The instruments effectively break down fascial restrictions and causes controlled microtrauma to affected soft tissue structures. This causes the stimulation of a local inflammatory response. Microtrauma initiates reabsorption of inappropriate fibrosis or excessive scar tissue and facilitates a cascade of healing activities resulting in remodeling of affected soft tissue structures.

Adhesions within the soft tissue which may have developed as a result of surgery, immobilization, repeated strain or other mechanisms, are broken down allowing full functional restoration to occur.

Common Indications:

• Limited motion 
• Pain during motion 
• Motor control issues
• Muscle recruitment issues

Common Conditions for which IASTM is usually used:

• Medial Epicondylitis, Lateral Epicondylitis 
• 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 Including Impingement 
• IT Band Syndrome 
• Shin Splints 
• Chronic Ankle Sprains 
• Acute Ankle Sprains (Advanced Technique) 
• Scars (Surgical, Traumatic)
• & More!