Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM)
- What it is: The use of tools to assist with pain and soft tissue limitations has been around for thousands of years. The modern application sees the use of many different types of materials including metal, wood, and plastics to reduce symptoms. The tools are used in a gentle fashion to not increase pain or cause any long term detrimental effects to the underlying tissue and can be a great adjunct to a manual therapist’s tool kit. Cupping, which has been made popular in the last few years due to their acceptance by some sports celebrities has also been used for generations. These tools have also undergone a modernization and no longer requires the use of an active flame that may deter certain people from their usage. The devices are more suction based and can be a great tool for progressing pain and restriction relief.
- What it helps(benefits) with: Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization has been shown to improve limitations in range of motion stemming from soft tissue restrictions. It has also been used for pain relief especially during motion and is frequently used on athletes and non-athletes alike. Activation and coordination of muscle recruitment and usage has been known to benefit from addressing the soft tissue. the underling nervous system response can then regulate movements and function in individuals……. At Reaction Rehab we feel that if there is a treatment that can benefit our patients it should be implemented
