What is the IASTM?
The Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization has been made of different materials, but a popular one is the Graston Technique. It can help alleviate 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 injuries that IASTM can treat, and there are others.
Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) is a skilled myofascial intervention used for soft-tissue treatment. It is based on the principles of James cross-friction massage. It is applied using instruments that are usually made of stainless steel with edges and contours that can conform to different body anatomical locations and allows for deeper penetration. It is used for the detection and treatment of soft tissue disorders. A proposed description for IASTM is “a skilled intervention that includes the use of specialized tools to manipulate the skin, myofascial, muscles, and tendons by various direct compressive stroke techniques”.
The benefits of IASTM and how it works
People who have injuries to soft tissue usually do not get treatment right away. It is typically weeks or months before a doctor is seen. By this time the self healing process has completed. Adhesions and scar tissue have formed that could cause pain and limited motion. These can be like super glue to the body. Scar tissue causes new cells to lay down in a disorganized manner. This prevents muscles from lengthening properly. The physical therapist will often have to restart the healing process so that the soft tissue can be remodeled in the affected area. The IASTM is used to introduce controlled microtrauma to the soft tissue area to stimulate a local inflammatory response. This initiates the re-absorption of excessive scar tissue, and the remodeling of the soft tissue structure that was affected is facilitated. After this treatment and the remodeling of the scar tissue, the cells will become organized to better promote movement.
IASTM CAN ASSIST IN RESOLVING CONDITIONS LISTED BELOW, BUT ISN’T LIMITED TO THESE:
• Achilles Tendinopathy
• Ankle sprains
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Cervical Sprain/Strain (Neck Pain)
• Lumbar Sprain/Strain (Back Pain)
• Lateral Epicondylosis/itis (Tennis Elbow)
• Medial Epicondylosis/itis (Golfer’s Elbow)
• Patellofemoral Disorders (Knee Pain)
• Plantar Fasciopathy/Plantar Heel Pain (Foot Pain)
• Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy (Shoulder Pain)
Contraindications
- Open wound (unhealed suture site)
- Unhealed fracture
- Thrombophlebitis
- Uncontrolled hypertension
- Patient intolerance/hypersensitivity
- Hematoma
- Osteomyelitis
- Myositis ossificans
- Hemophilia
Precautions
- Anti-coagulant medications
- Cancer
- Varicose veins
- Burn scars
- Acute inflammatory conditions
- Kidney dysfunction
Types of Tools
There are many companies for IASTM such as Rock Tape Hawk Grips, Graston, Técnica Gavilán, Functional and Kinetic Treatment with Rehab (FAKTR)®, Adhesion Breakers®, augmented soft-tissue mobilization or ASTYM, and Fascial Abrasion Technique™. Each company has its own treatment approach with different instruments designs IASTM can be made from varying materials including stainless steel, titanium, plastic, buffalo horn, stone, quartz, and jade. The most common IASTM instruments used are stainless steel. Types of Tools Gras ton instruments There are many companies for IASTM such as Rock Tape Hawk Grips®, Gras ton®, Técni ca Gavilán®, Functional and Kinetic Treatment with Rehab (FAKTR)®, Adhesion Breakers®, augmented soft-tissue mobilization or ASTYM®, and Fascial Abrasion Technique™. Each company has its own treatment approach with different instruments designs. IASTM can be made from varying materials including stainless steel, titanium, plastic, buffalo horn, stone, quartz, and jade. The most common IASTM instruments used are stainless steel.