What is Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization
Do you have sore or tight muscles? Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization may be a good treatment option for you! Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization or IASTM is a technique that uses a tool to help bring in blood flow to a certain area of the body. When a trained therapist is able to bring in blood flow to a certain area especially an injured area, it can be very beneficial. This is because blood flow allows bringing in necessary nutrients to the injured tissues. The nutrients from the blood can decrease the time it takes to heal these areas. IASTM uses tools that can be made from many different materials including plastic and metal. When IASTM is performed, long strokes are applied with the beveled edge of the tool to assist in increasing blood flow to the desired area. These tools can be applied at many different locations of the body and can be used for common conditions including but not limited to tendinopathies, scar mobilizations, carpal tunnel, muscle strains, and other forms of pain.
There are many benefits of having IASTM including decreasing pain, improving neural sensitivity, increasing range of motion in joints or muscles, scar tissue mobilization, and also improving blood circulation to the desired areas. No matter how IASTM is being used, it can be a great tool for a therapist to use to improve your treatment outcomes and decrease pain. A trained therapist will determine if using IASTM is right for your goals and treatment needs.
If you’re experiencing tight or sore muscles, ProTailored Physical Therapy can help! Call us at (260) 739-0300 to schedule your consultation and take the first step toward relief.