What is IASTM?
Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilisation (IASTM) is a method of using tools to reduce pain and muscle tightness, improve range of motion and can help to speed up the recovery process following a soft tissue injury by reducing scar tissue and adhesions and increasing blood and nutrient supply to the injured area.
IASTM uses a range of specially designed instruments to provide a mobilising effect to myofascial adhesions and scar tissue. In other words, it can improve the movement between the skin, fascia and underlying muscles by removing the myofascial adhesions.
Bad posture, excessive tension and overuse, such as during exercise, work or sitting at a desk all day, can result in soft tissue injuries, these are injuries to the skin, fascia, tendons, and ligaments.
After the injury, inflammation occurs and a rapid increase of new cells start the formation of scar tissue and fibrosis to help heal the injury. These changes reduce tissue elasticity and cause myofascial adhesions which can restrict the supply of oxygen-rich blood and nutrients to the tissue, and also the removal of metabolic wastes out of the tissue, which results in PAIN.
The main goal of IASTM is to remove myofascial adhesions, restrictions and scar tissue and aid in normal tissue function
The tools are used to increase the detection of altered tissue properties, such as myofascial adhesions, by increasing the vibration from the tissue into the tool, which can be felt by both the therapist and the client.