physical therapy Hillsboro OR

Instrument Assisted Mobilization

Instrument Assisted Mobilization (IASTM)

IASTM is a modern manual therapy technique used to treat soft tissue abnormalities with specially designed tools. It detects and treats fascial restrictions, soft tissue fibrosis, chronic inflammation, and degeneration.

How It Works:

  • Detection: Clinicians use ergonomic hand-held instruments to scan the skin for soft tissue problems.
  • Treatment: Controlled microtrauma is applied to the area to break down adhesions, reabsorb fibrosis, and facilitate healing, restoring function.

Methods:

  • Graston Technique, HawkGrips, FMST Tools: Use steel instruments to locate and break up tissue restrictions.
  • SASTM: Uses sound waves to locate restrictions before applying pressure to treat the tissue.

Expectations:

  • Preparation: Patients may warm up with five minutes of cardiovascular activity, followed by ultrasound or heat treatment.
  • Procedure: Treatment involves scanning and massaging the affected area for 30-60 seconds per spot. Some discomfort and bruising may occur, relieved by icing the area for 15-20 minutes post-treatment.
  • Rehabilitation: Typically combined with exercise, stretching, and strengthening programs to aid recovery.

Many people have reported increased range of motion (ROM) and reduced pain after the first IASTM treatment. IASTM has been proven successful in reducing scar tissue problems from surgical and traumatic scar tissue and achieving great results with pain control and rejuvenating joint, ligament, tendon and muscle flexibility.

Conditions Treated

IASTM is an effective treatment option for a variety of conditions including:

  • Medial Epicondylitis (golfer’s elbow)
  • Lateral Epicondylitis (tennis elbow)
  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
  • Neck Pain
  • Plantar Fascitis (foot pain)
  • Rotator Cuff Tendinitis (shoulder pain)
  • Patellar Tendinitis (knee pain)
  • Tibialis Posterior Tendinitis
  • Ankle Pain / Foot Pain / Heel Pain / Achilles Tendinitis
  • DeQuervain’s Syndrome
  • Post-Surgical and Traumatic Scars
  • Myofascial Pain and Restrictions
  • Musculoskeletal Imbalances
  • Chronic Joint Swelling Associated with Sprains/Strains
  • Ligament Sprains
  • Muscle Strains
  • Non-Acute Bursitis
  • Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) / Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD)
  • Back Pain
  • Trigger Finger
  • Hip Pain (Replacements)
  • IT Band Syndrome
  • Shin Splints
  • Chronic Ankle Sprains
  • Acute Ankle Sprains (Advanced Technique)

  • Surgical or Traumatic Scars