IASTM tool stand for instrumented assisted soft tissue mobilisation. This means using a tool or instrument to increate mobility and reduce pain for the soft tissue and fascia. At TurnAround Therapy we use the ‘Rolls Royce’ of IASTM tools, the stainless steel IAM tool created and hand crafted by Malcolm Innes
What are the Benefits IASTM?
Pain reduction- The tool increase blood flow to an area, which is great when you have tight or adhered muscles. Increased blood flow speeds recovery and in turn reduces pain.
Improve range of motion- By using the tool on areas with restricted movement which asking you to repeatedly go through the movement, we tap into the nervous system and start to switch off pain specifically pain perception related to movement.
Fascia Release- The tool is fantastic for the fascial system that cover the body, it breaks down adhesions &
Scar Mobilisation- By breaking down fascial restrictions & adhesions we can begin to improve the quality of a scar and create more order to reduce a scars visibility.
Fascia 101
Ok I here you, what the heck is Fascia? I always describe fascia in two ways for my clients
- Like the skin to a sausage. Fascia is a like a casing surrounding all of the muscles.
- A cobweb that covers the entire body underneath the skin. If you imagine pinching the corner of a cobweb, this will have a huge effect on the entire web. This is what happens in the body, when an area
What to Expect
The tool is used in a back & forth motion on the skin, kind of like buttering bread but with greater speed. Lily has been practising with IASTM since 2016 and as an advance IASTM tool provider so your in great hands
There are some horror stories out there around IASTM tool and some nasty overuse images where the body is covered in deep purple bruising after treatment. This should not happen and is an incorrect use of the tools.
When we use our IASTM tool it will be any where from 30 second to 1 minute, this will result in some redness to the area but this shouldn’t last any longer then 10 minutes. The redness is simply a result of improved blood flow to the area.
What issues do you use IASTM for?
- Neck & shoulder strains
- Tennis/ Golfers Elbow
- Shin Splints
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Iliotibial Frition Syndome (ITB Syndrome)
- Rotator cuff injuries
- Tendinopathy
- Soft Tissue Dysfunction & Tension