2. INTRODUCTION
Utilization of instruments to achieve similar effects as soft tissue
mobilization or massage with your hand.
It is applied using instruments that are usually made of
stainless steel with bevelLed edges and contours that can conform
to different body anatomical locations and allows for deeper
penetration. It is used for the detection and treatment of soft tissue
disorders.
3. Definition
A proposed description for IASTM is “a skilled intervention
that includes the use of specialized tools to manipulate the
skin, myofascia, muscles, and tendons by various direct
compressive stroke techniques”.
4.
5. How does it work?
Instruments effectively break down fascial restrictions and scar
tissue. The ergonomic design of these instruments provides the
clinician with the ability to locate restrictions and allows the
clinician to treat the affected area with the appropriate amount of
pressure.
• The introduction of controlled microtrauma to affected soft tissue
structure causes the stimulation of local inflammatory response.
6. Conditions For Which IASTM is Usually Used
• Medial Epicondylitis, Lateral Epicondylitis
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Neck Pain
• Plantar Fascitis
• Rotator Cuff Tendinitis
• Patellar Tendinitis
• Tibialis Posterior Tendinitis
• Heel Pain /Achilles Tendinitis
• DeQuervain's Syndrome
• Post-Surgical and Traumatic Scars
• Myofascial Pain and Restrictions
• Musculoskeletal Imbalances
8. Physiological Mechanism
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 the
remodeling of unorganized collagen fibre matrix following IASTM
application. Which result in a breakdown of scar tissues, adhesions
and facial restrictions.
9. IASTM have a neurophysiological effect as it
stimulates mechanosensitive neurons through skin deformation by
the instrument. Mechanosensitive neurons include
mechanoreceptors which are responsible for two-point
discrimination and mechano-nociceptors which are responsible for
pain perception.
IASTM affects the vascular response to the injured soft
tissue, through increasing the blood flow
10. • IASTM can be made from varying materials including stainless
steel, titanium, plastic, buffalo horn, stone, quartz, and jade. The
most common IASTM instruments used are stainless steel
• Each company has its own treatment approach with different
instruments designs.
IASTM Tools
There are many companies for IASTM tools,
11.
12. Here some IASTM Tools
• Astym® (Performance Dynamics)
• Fibroblaster (Fibroblaster LLC)
– Jack
• Fuzion (Soft tissue therapy tools Inc)
• Graston (Therapy Care Resources)
• Gua Sha
• SASTM (Carpal Therapy)
• STARR Tool
• The Edge
• Hawk Grips
13.
14. • It is important to disinfect the instrument between patients
to avoid transfer of infections. It is recommended to disinfect the
instrument with intermediate-level disinfectants (e.g. isopropyl
alcohol), then wash it with soap and water to remove any
residuals of the chemical disinfectant off the instrument. If the
tools contacts blood, bodily fluids, mucous membranes, or non-
intact skin then disinfecting it with high-level disinfectant should
be done
15. Clinical Benefits:
• Studies have also showed clinical benefits of
IASTM showing improvements in range of motion,
strength and pain perception following treatment.
16. Benefits to the Therapist:
IASTM provide clinicians with a mechanical advantage, thus
preventing over-use to the hands, it provides deeper tissue
penetration with less compressive forces to the interphalangeal
joints of the clinician’s hand.
Also, it increases the vibratory perception of the physical
therapist’s hand holding the instrument to altered soft tissue
properties such as tissues restrictions or adhesions. So the
therapist is able to detect soft tissue irregularities easier
17. Practical Application
IASTM can’t be done by itself, it must be combined with motion
and strengthening program to enhance the tissues remodeling.
When IASTM is applied to goes through 6 steps
1. Examination
2. Warm-up is done for 10-15 mins by light jogging, elliptical
machine, stationary bike or an upper body ergometer
3. IASTM, done at 30-60 degrees angle for 40-120 seconds
4. Stretching, 3 reps for 30 seconds
5. Strengthening, high repetitions with low load exercise
6. Cryotherapy, 10-20 min
