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What You Should Know About Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization

IASTM-300x195Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) is a type of manual therapy that can reduce pain and improve function all over your body. At Bon Secours In Motion, we are proud to offer this therapy to our patients.

How does IASTM work?

IASTM uses specially designed, medical grade stainless steel tools to break up scar tissue and help improve function of injured areas of your body. Scar tissue can affect the way your muscles and tendons work; by breaking up scar tissue, our therapists help you increase flexibility and movement while decreasing pain.

During treatment, your therapist will press the rounded stainless steel tools against areas of soft tissue that are inflamed or scarred, stimulating your body’s natural healing processes. The shape of the tools allows therapists to treat areas they cannot reach properly with their hands alone while increasing the precision and sensitivity of treatment. The tools are also frictionless, allowing them to be moved comfortably against your skin.

IASTM can even be used to diagnose soft tissue problems. The size and shape of the tools helps your therapist feel areas they could not reach before and really identify areas of tightness or pain.

Does IASTM hurt?

IASTM is a pain-free treatment that may feel similar to a deep massage. You might experience some redness after treatment, but this will go away within a day or two.

What conditions can IASTM help?

IASTM can help relieve pain or discomfort associated with many conditions such as:

  • Back pain
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Knee pain
  • Neck pain
  • Scar Tissue
  • Shoulder pain
  • Tennis elbow

While you are undergoing IASTM, you can still participate in all your normal activities.

What are the benefits of IASTM?

In addition to decreasing pain and improving function, IASTM has benefits such as:

  • Reducing your need for anti-inflammatory medicines
  • Decreasing how long you need physical therapy
  • Treating chronic conditions

IASTM also has benefits for your therapists. The tools require less pressure than their hands alone, helping prevent fatigue.

You may see additional benefits of IASTM if you combine it with strengthening and stretching programs. Together, these programs help you achieve greater function.

How fast does IASTM work?

You should start seeing the benefits of IASTM within two or three treatments. You may need two treatments per week for about five weeks to get the best results for your body.

If you are experiencing pain or tightness, contact Bon Secours In Motion to find out if IASTM is right for you.