An injury or condition can cause dysfunction to a muscle or soft tissue which can result in muscle guarding and pain. IASTM (Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization) is performed by using a stainless-steel tool in order to assess and treat the area of the injury which could potentially have soft tissue restrictions, scar tissue, and other adhesions.

IASTM is very effective for breaking up scar tissue especially for acute injuries. It allows your trained therapist to assess the fascia surrounding the muscle. Typically, when a muscle is injured, the fascia that covers the muscle also becomes “tangled”, using the tool helps to realign these fascial fibers which will improve overall muscle function.

These instruments are in no way meant to be used in substitution of the therapists’ hands, rather, it is to improve their ability to find adhesions and restrictions that are causing dysfunction.

IASTM has been proven to be extremely effective for injuries like Achilles tendonitis, tennis elbow, scar tissue after surgical intervention, plantar fasciitis, iliotibial band syndrome, etc.