Instrument Assisted Soft tissue Mobilisation:
It is used to detect facial restrictions, encourage rapid localisation and effectively treat areas exhibiting soft tissue fibrosis, chronic inflammation or degeneration.
The introduction of controlled microtrauma to the affected soft tissue structure causes a stimulation of a local inflammatory response. Micro-trauma initiates reabsorption of inappropriate fibrosis or excessive scar tissue and fasilitates a cascades of healing activities resulting in remodelling of affected soft tissue structures.
Adhesions within the soft tissue which may have developed as a result of surgery, immobilisation, repeated strain or other mechanisms, are broken down allowing full functioning restoration to occur.
Indications:
- Limited motion
- Pain during motion
- Motor control issues
- Muscle recruitment issues
Conditions which IASTM are commonly used:
- Medial and lateral epicondylitis
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Neck pain
- Plantar fasciitis
- Rotator cuff tendonitis
- Patella tendonitis
- Tibiallis posterior tendonitis
- Heel pain/achilles tendonitis
- Dequervains syndrome
- Post surgical and traumatic scars
- Myofacial pain and restrictions
- Musculoskeletal imbalances
- Chronic joint swelling associated with sprains and strains
- Ligament sprains
- Muscle strains
- Non-accuse bursitis
- RSD (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy)
- Back pain
- Trigger finger
- Hip pain (Replacements)
- IT Band syndrome
- Shin splints
- Chronic ankle sprains
- Acute ankle sprains (advanced technique)
- Scars (surgical/traumatic)
Clinical Benefits:
Studies have also shown clinical benefits of IASTM showing improvements in ROM, strength, pain perception following treatment.
Melham et al. found that IASTM significantly improved range of motion in a college football player following 7 weeks of IASTM and physical therapy. Melham et al found that scar tissue surrounding the lateral malleolus was reduced and remodelled structurally following IASTM application.
Wilson et al. found improvement in pain reduction and impairment scale at 6 and 12 weeks following IASTM application for patella tendonitis.