What is Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization?
Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization or (IASTM) has become the growing trend in rehabilitative therapies such as occupational therapy due to its effectiveness and efficiency while remaining non-invasive. Patients will experience breakdown of scar adhesions, improved muscle function, and increased healing rates of targeted tissues enhancing their overall functional performance.
IASTM is performed with an ergonomically designed tool which provides the clinician the ability to locate soft tissue dysfunction. The tools provide a mechanical advantage that allows the clinician to achieve greater depth of mechanical force transmission than can be produced with hands and can effectively break down fascia, an extremely tough tissue that surrounds, covers and connects all tissues and organs of the body-muscles, bones, nerves, blood vessels, and internal organs. Fascial restrictions may be caused due to poor posture, trauma, repetitive strain, chronic inflammation and surgical scar. Once an area of fascia becomes tight with adhesion formation the restrictions spread to other areas of the body creating further mechanical imbalances and generally lead to discomfort and altered functional performance.
How does Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization work?
Through the use of IASTM, the adhesions are stripped and deep fibrous layers encouraged to move. Studies have addressed the benefits of IASTM which include increased fibroblast proliferation, reduction in scar tissue, increased vascular response, and the remodeling of unorganized collagen fiber matrix allowing patients to regain pain free functional daily performance.
What conditions can be treated with Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization?
- Medial Epicondylitis, Lateral Epicondylitis
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- DeQuervain’s Syndrome
- Post-Surgical and Traumatic Scars
- Myofascial Pain and Restrictions
- Musculoskeletal Imbalances
- RSD (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy)
- Trigger Finger
- Scars (Surgical, Traumatic)
Our Occupational Therapists at Access have been specially trained in IASTM to help our patients achieve the highest level of functional independence and return to the life that you love.
