Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) is the use of tools which enables clinicians to efficiently locate and treat individuals diagnosed with soft tissue dysfunction. The technique itself is said to be a modern evolution from Traditional Chinese Medicine called Gua Sha. However, Gua Sha was not used to treat musculoskeletal conditions but was traditionally applied along meridians to move the bad chi out through the skin.
IASTM is a procedure that is rapidly growing in popularity due to its effectiveness and efficiency while remaining non-invasive.
IASTM is performed with ergonomically designed instruments that detect and treat fascial
restrictions, encourage rapid localization and effectively treat areas exhibiting soft tissue fibrosis, chronic inflammation, or degeneration. Here at Performance Stretch Therapy, we use RockBlades as our instrument of choice.
RockBlades effectively break down fascial restrictions and scar tissue. The introduction of controlled microtrauma to affected soft tissue structure causes the stimulation of a local inflammatory response. Microtrauma initiates reabsorption of inappropriate fibrosis or excessive scar tissue and facilitates a cascade of healing activities resulting in remodeling of affected soft tissue structures. Adhesions within the soft tissue which may have developed as a result of surgery, immobilization, repeated strain or other mechanisms, are broken down allowing full functional restoration to occur.