Prior to beginning instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization treatments, your physical therapist will likely conduct a few tests to get a clear depiction of your current abilities as well as potential areas for improvement.
Once the soft tissue dysfunction has been identified, the therapist will run the instrument over the affected area. Applying adequate amounts of pressure to the tissues has been shown to help:
- Improve mobility
- Decrease pain
- Stimulate the area for quicker recovery
Research surrounding IASTM is still relatively new. However, it is very encouraging. Multiple studies have shown marked improvements in patients who implemented instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization for a number of weeks after their injury or repair surgery.
Â