Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) is an innovative soft tissue mobilization technique used to treat musculoskeletal injuries and soft tissue restrictions. What is IASTM in physical therapy? It’s a method that uses specialized tools to address soft tissue dysfunction, enhancing recovery and mobility. By utilizing stainless steel instruments, physical therapists and healthcare professionals can target excessive scar tissue, muscle imbalances, and myofascial restrictions to restore mobility, reduce pain, and improve functional restoration.
This effective treatment has gained popularity in both clinical and sports settings as a way to address soft tissue fibrosis, chronic scar tissue, and musculoskeletal imbalances. The application of IASTM involves using direct pressure through specialized tools to encourage fibroblast proliferation, which helps stimulate tissue repair, particularly in damaged soft tissue structures.
What Does IASTM Stand For?
IASTM stands for Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization, a soft-tissue massage technique that uses tools to enhance manual therapy. These tools help practitioners apply precise treatment to specific areas of soft tissue restriction, such as areas with chronic scar tissue or musculoskeletal imbalance. This allows for more effective treatment outcomes, as the stainless steel tools enable practitioners to break down excessive fibrosis and adhesions in the connective tissue.
The controlled micro-trauma created by IASTM tools encourages fibroblast production and the regeneration of collagen, which aids in tissue healing. IASTM is often used in cases where manual therapy alone may be insufficient to address deep-seated restrictions or adhesions within the tissue.
How IASTM Works
IASTM physical therapy works by utilizing stainless steel instruments to apply controlled pressure on affected areas of the body. These tools allow for deeper penetration into the soft tissue structure, which is especially useful for treating musculoskeletal injuries like neck pain, quadricep pain, and muscle strains. By using direct pressure, the therapist can detect and treat areas of myofascial restrictions, scar tissue, and connective tissue tightness that are not easily palpable with manual therapy alone.
Additionally, research by Portillo-Soto et al. (2014) showed that applying IASTM to the human calf significantly increased blood flow, as evidenced by an increase in skin temperature from 25.83°C ± 0.30°C to 31.83°C ± 0.205°C. This enhanced circulation promotes healing by delivering essential nutrients and oxygen to the injured area, accelerating the recovery process.
The tools work by causing small, controlled micro trauma to the affected tissues, which stimulates the body’s natural healing processes. This tissue remodeling helps break down chronic scar tissue and adhesions, encourages fibroblast proliferation, and facilitates the regeneration of collagen. This not only improves mobility but also reduces pain perception and enhances the patient’s ability to perform daily tasks with less discomfort.
The sensitivity to treatment and the appropriate session dose of IASTM vary from patient to patient. Some individuals may experience heightened sensitivity in certain areas due to soft tissue dysfunction or existing medical conditions like varicose veins. Practitioners must adjust the intensity of treatment based on each patient’s prescribed treatment plan and tolerance to avoid unnecessary discomfort and ensure optimal results.
What Are the Different Tools Used in IASTM Therapy?
There are various types of IASTM tools physical therapy practitioners use, each designed to apply precise treatment to specific areas of the body. These tools assist in detecting and treating areas of myofascial restrictions and connective tissue tightness:
- Graston tools: These instruments are widely used in IASTM and are known for their effectiveness in treating myofascial restrictions and soft tissue fibrosis.
- Concave and convex tools: These allow for varied pressure application, which can help treat large body regions or specific areas of restriction.
- Edge tools: These are smaller, more precise instruments designed to target tighter muscles or smaller areas of tissue dysfunction.
The tools are typically disinfected using high-level disinfectant or intermediate-level disinfectant to reduce the risk of infection and ensure safety for patients with non-intact skin or mucous membranes. Practitioners often wear gloves during treatment to maintain a sterile environment and minimize the chance of infection secondary to treatment.
Ensuring proper tool hygiene is crucial when using IASTM instruments. Following safety guidelines, the tools must be sterilized between sessions using appropriate high-level disinfectant or intermediate-level disinfectant to reduce the risk of infection. This is especially important for patients with non-intact skin or underlying medical conditions, as improper cleaning can lead to adverse effects such as infections or irritation.
Practical Application
Physical Therapy IASTM can be used to address a wide range of musculoskeletal injuries and conditions affecting the soft tissue structure. It is commonly applied in settings where manual therapy alone may not be sufficient to treat deep connective tissue adhesions or myofascial trigger points. In many cases, IASTM is used in conjunction with other therapeutic techniques during both the pre-intervention and post-intervention phases.
For example, a session of foam rolling may be included as part of the pre-intervention warm-up to prepare the tissue, followed by IASTM and post-intervention stretching to further enhance recovery and muscle performance. In sports medicine settings, IASTM physical therapy is frequently incorporated into intervention protocols designed to enhance athletic performance and facilitate recovery from injuries.
The intervention phase often includes a combination of therapies, such as the intervention of foam rolling, stretching, and IASTM, which work together to reduce pain and improve tissue function. These practice guidelines help athletes recover more quickly and return to their sport with improved knee joint mobility and overall muscle strength.
This comprehensive approach maximizes the positive short-term effects of the therapy and helps maintain gains in muscle strength over time. The treatment can be incorporated into broader intervention protocols, such as pre-intervention warm-ups or post-intervention effects, like stretching or foam rolling.
In addition to the musculoskeletal injuries commonly treated, IASTM is sometimes used to address myofascial trigger points and conditions such as varicose veins, especially when they contribute to soft tissue dysfunction. Practitioners must carefully evaluate the presence of varicose veins as it may alter the approach or intensity of treatment to avoid further complications. IASTM should be avoided on non-intact skin to prevent potential adverse effects, ensuring the therapy remains safe and effective.
In a clinical setting, IASTM is often combined with manipulative therapy and other intervention components to improve patient outcomes. Post-treatment stretching, strengthening exercises, and other rehabilitative methods are usually recommended to maximize the positive short-term effects of the therapy.
Conditions For Which IASTM is Usually Used
IASTM is used to treat a variety of conditions that affect the soft tissue structure and connective tissue, including:
- Acute and chronic pain: IASTM physical therapy helps manage pain perception by reducing tissue tension and improving mobility.
- Frozen shoulder: The therapy breaks down excessive fibrosis and scar tissue, improving the range of motion.
- Rotator cuff pain: IASTM targets muscle imbalances that contribute to shoulder dysfunction.
- Runner’s knee: IASTM can be part of an intervention program to alleviate patellofemoral pain syndrome.
- Plantar fasciitis: IASTM reduces inflammation and tension in the fascia, improving functional movement.
- Sports injuries: Athletes often use IASTM to recover from muscle strains, sprains, and soft tissue damage.
- Carpal tunnel syndrome: This therapy reduces soft tissue tension around the wrist, helping alleviate symptoms.
- Surgery/Trauma Scars: IASTM helps break down excessive scar tissue from surgery or trauma.
- Sprains and Strains
- IT band syndrome: The therapy can relieve tightness and inflammation in the iliotibial band.
- Tennis elbow and Golfer’s elbow: IASTM is effective for treating lateral epicondylitis and medial elbow pain.
- Joint pain: By reducing joint swelling and improving tissue mobility, IASTM helps relieve inflammatory conditions.
Recent studies have shown that individuals with patellar tendonitis experience significant reductions in pain and functional impairments after 6 and 12 weeks of IASTM treatment. This makes IASTM an ideal therapy for those looking to recover from this condition quickly and effectively.
Each of these conditions involves some level of soft tissue fibrosis, scar tissue formation, or musculoskeletal imbalance, which can benefit from the precise treatment offered by IASTM.
Benefits of IASTM Therapy
Research has demonstrated that IASTM may be an effective treatment for reducing pain and improving functionality within a short time frame. Studies show that patients with conditions affecting the spine, upper extremities, and lower extremities often experience significant relief within three months of treatment, making IASTM a practical solution for various musculoskeletal issues.
IASTM offers several positive short-term effects and long-term benefits for patients dealing with musculoskeletal issues:
Reduced Pain and Inflammation
One of the most significant benefits of IASTM is its ability to reduce pain and inflammation. By breaking down chronic scar tissue and increasing blood flow, this therapy helps lower post-treatment pain perception, particularly in patients suffering from acute injury or inflammatory conditions like IT band syndrome.
Increased Blood Flow and Lymph Flow
Improved circulation and lymphatic drainage are key benefits of IASTM. This helps remove toxins and waste products from injured tissues, which accelerates healing and reduces swelling. Patients often experience faster recovery times and improved tissue elasticity.
Improved Range of Motion (ROM)
IASTM improves the range of motion (ROM) by breaking down soft tissue restrictions and improving tissue flexibility. Patients with conditions like frozen shoulder or joint pain often regain significant mobility after a few sessions of therapy.
Less Muscle Soreness After Activity
Patients who undergo IASTM often report less post-treatment soreness and faster recovery after physical activity. By enhancing tissue elasticity and reducing scar tissue buildup, IASTM can alleviate tightness in tight muscles and improve overall muscle strength.
Better Sleep
Pain and discomfort can interfere with sleep. By reducing pain and improving tissue health, IASTM helps patients sleep better and recover faster.
Better Overall Health
Through the improvement of tissue mobility, reduction of pain, and enhanced functional ability, patients often experience improved overall health, allowing them to resume normal activities and maintain better physical fitness.
To evaluate the success of IASTM therapy, clinicians often rely on outcome measures such as improvements in muscle strength, reduction in pain levels (measured using a scale for pain), and the patient’s ability to resume normal activities. The completion of treatment is generally marked by significant improvements in soft tissue dysfunction, allowing the patient to return to daily routines or athletic performance with increased mobility and reduced discomfort.
How IASTM Helps Muscles and Tendons Heal More Quickly
IASTM promotes quicker healing by stimulating fibroblast production and collagen secondary formation in damaged tissues. This process speeds up the tissue remodeling process, especially in conditions with excessive fibrosis or connective tissue damage. The breakdown of scar tissue and adhesions allows for healthier tissue regeneration and faster recovery from injuries like muscle strains or quadricep pain.
How IASTM Increases Range of Motion
By addressing musculoskeletal imbalance and soft tissue restrictions, IASTM helps increase range of motion. Conditions like frozen shoulder, lateral epicondylitis, and neck pain often result in limited motion. The use of stainless steel tools helps break down adhesions and promote tissue flexibility, restoring mobility to joints and muscles.
How IASTM Reduces Chronic Pain
Chronic pain is often the result of soft tissue fibrosis or excessive scar tissue. IASTM addresses these issues by promoting fibroblast proliferation and breaking down scar tissue, which in turn reduces pain and improves overall tissue function. This can be particularly beneficial for conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow, and patellofemoral pain syndrome.
Conclusion
IASTM is a powerful tool in the world of physical therapy, offering a range of benefits for treating musculoskeletal issues, improving mobility, and reducing pain. Whether you’re dealing with acute injury, chronic scar tissue, or musculoskeletal imbalances, IASTM offers an effective treatment option that can lead to better patient outcomes and faster recovery.
At Revival Physical Therapy and Wellness, we specialize in using cutting-edge treatments like Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) to help you recover faster and regain mobility. Our team utilizes modern therapies, including IASTM, to target soft tissue dysfunction, reduce pain, and enhance your overall well-being. Whether you’re dealing with chronic pain, sports injuries, or recovering from surgery, we tailor our treatments to meet your unique needs. Request an appointment today and start your journey toward a pain-free life!
FAQs
What should I expect during my first IASTM session?
During your first session, the therapist will assess your condition and apply stainless steel instruments to areas of connective tissue restriction. You may feel some mild discomfort, but this is typically a sign that the treatment is working to break down excessive fibrosis and scar tissue.
Is IASTM therapy painful or uncomfortable?
IASTM is not typically painful, but it can cause some discomfort in areas with significant tissue restriction or scar tissue. Any discomfort is usually temporary and decreases as treatment progresses.
How many sessions of IASTM are typically needed for results?
The number of sessions needed varies depending on the condition and the patient’s response to treatment. While some may see improvements after a single session, others may require multiple sessions to achieve optimal treatment protocols.
