What is Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM)

What is Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM)?

Treatment of individuals diagnosed with soft tissue dysfunction

October 24, 2022

iastm

Aside from new medication and new techniques, treatment methods are also developed for different medical conditions and sports or soft tissue injuries. While some developments, including post-surgery physiotherapy, still cannot guarantee complete recovery, these new methods often offer better results such as faster recovery time and less invasive treatment procedures.

Most of the patients suffering from pain or discomfort caused by soft-tissue injuries do not seek help until the pain limits their ability to perform daily tasks. While some would look for “physiotherapy near me“, not everyone will proceed with booking an appointment for a consultation or getting proper treatment.

While soft-tissue injuries can heal on their own after a few months, these injuries may leave scar tissues and adhesions which may cause pain or limit the patient’s mobility. According to studies on the healing process of soft tissue, ” Scar tissue and adhesions are formed during this healing process, which limits motion and often causes pain… When scar tissue is created after injury, new cells are laid down excessively and in a disorganized manner. Scar tissue/adhesions prevent the muscle or other tissues from lengthening appropriately.” Depending on how the tissues have healed, you may be advised to book an appointment for manual lymphatic drainage or instrument-assisted soft-tissue mobilization.

Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) is a treatment method that uses a range of tools to enable medical specialists or therapists to efficiently locate soft-tissue injuries and treat individuals diagnosed with soft-tissue dysfunction.

To treat patients, therapists would restart the healing process by introducing controlled microtrauma to affected soft tissue using IASTM. Once the local inflammatory response is stimulated, the microtrauma initiates the reabsorption of inappropriate or excessive scar tissue and starts the process of remodelling the affected soft-tissue structures.

While lymphatic drainage massage benefits some patients suffering from similar injuries, it’s better to consult with a specialist to check for any soft tissue or muscle injuries if you are experiencing pain or discomfort after performing certain tasks, especially physically demanding activities.

If you need to visit a clinic for a sports physiotherapy Dubai appointment to help improve your mobility or you wish to consult with a specialist about pain or discomfort you experience while performing certain movements, Scandinavian Physiotherapy Center DMCC offers a range of treatment plans that are tailored to your needs. You may visit one of our clinics for a consultation or book an appointment for therapy sessions.