What is IASTM?

IASTM

Improving pain + mobility + flexibility

Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) is a form of treatment for myofascial restrictions and scar tissue. After an injury or even repetitive loading and unloading (like weight training) to the muscle, a micro tear can occur causing inflammation and the formation of new cells. This is when fibrosis and the formation of scar tissue to the soft tissues take place. These changes reduce tissue elasticity and cause adhesions, which can lead to diminished soft tissue flexibility, mobility, and pain. These scar tissues and myofascial restrictions can limit the flow of oxygen, nutrients, and collagen synthesis to the soft tissues.

To facilitate healing, IASTM uses designed specific instruments to provide a mobilizing effect to scar tissues and myofascial restrictions. The goal of IASTM is to remove the scar tissue, promote a return to normal function, and facilitates the healing process through the formation of collagen. As Chiropractors, we receive training for M1 and M2 Graston technique. IASTM technique has helped many with common chronic musculoskeletal conditions from adolescents to adults.

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IASTM has been known to decrease inflammation and pain, increases collagen production, helps restore the body’s proper function, improves mobility and flexibility, and helps speed up recovery time. Due to its great benefits, IASTM is great for sports rehabilitation, athlete, bodybuilders, chronic conditions, decrease, or restricted limb movement due to surgery or injury. Studies have shown that IASTM can even help shorten the rehabilitation period and time to return to sports among athletes and to the activity of daily living with people who have suffered injuries and recovery from surgery.

These sessions can be a stand-alone treatment or in conjunction with other treatments. The sessions are performed on a massage table to the affected area. A skin lubricant is applied to reduce friction and protect the skin. Patients should bring comfortable clothing like shorts and sleeveless shirts. This type of treatment can be uncomfortable, can cause pain, redness, bruising, and tenderness, during and after the treatment. The recommended sessions are 1-2/wk with 48hrs in between sessions. These sessions are great for athletes, bodybuilders or anyone wanted to increase, flexibility, mobility, and decrease pain.

Every visit I go, I leave feeling so rejuvenated, calm, and stress free. Dr. Karina helped me relieve lots of muscle tension ad stress in my neck and lower back. I now have a better sense of how stress affects my body and how to manage it. I highly recommend anyone to see Dr. Karina Monegro

-- Tristan Lee Griffin

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some answers to the questions we receive the most about our services.
If we missed anything, please do not hesitate to contact us. We’ll be happy to help

IASTM is an effectively treatment method that breaks down fascial restriction and scar tissue. These tools allows to locate the restrictions and to treat them in an effective way. The introduction of controlled microtrauma to the affected soft tissue structure causes the stimulation of local inflammatory response. This initiates reabsorption of inappropriate fibrosis or excessive scar tissue structures. This method helps adhesions within the soft tissue which may have developed as a result of a surgery, immobilization and repeated strain or other mechanism are broken down with the tissues restored and fully functional.

Studies have addressed the benefits of IASTM at the cellular level. The inflammatory response initiated through micro-trauma to the affected tissues results in increased fibroblast proliferation, collagen synthesis, maturation and remodeling of unorganized collagen fiber matrix following IASTM application, which results in a breakdown of scare issues, adhesions and fascial restrictions.

Additionally it affects the vascualr response to the injured soft tissue, by increasing the blood flow. Studies have shown clinical benefits of IASTM pointing out improvements in range of motion, strength and tension relieve in the tissues.

If you have the following conditions, this might be a treatment that can be helpful:

  • Carpal tunnel
  • Neck pain
  • Plantar fasciitis
  • Knee pain
  • Lower back pain
  • Post surgical + traumatic scars
  • Myofascial pain + restrictions
  • Athletes + weightlifting maintenance + injuries
  • Shoulder + elbow main and injuries
  • Hip pain 
  • Strain + Sprains
  • Jaw pain + TMJ
  • Frozen shoulder
  • Ankle and foot pain
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Overall wellness +flexibility + mobility

 

If you have:

  • An open wound
  • Unhealed fracture
  • Hematoma
  • Cancer
  • Thrombophlebitis
  • If you are easily bruised please let the practitioner know as you might bruise similar to cupping.