Are you looking for IASTM therapy in Belfast, Northern Ireland? But don’t have enough knowledge about instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM)? Then, read this guide.

What is Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM)?

A unique manual technique that is practiced to find and deal with soft tissue abnormalities, chronic injuries and dysfunctions is known as IASTM. In this treatment, therapists use a variety of tools to restore the local mechanoreceptors. These tools could be made up of steel, resin, wood, jade and ceramics.

The history of instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) is also associated with 2000 years old Chinese therapy ‘Gua Sha’. However, compared to ‘Gua Sha’, IASTM is performed with more safety protocols and offers more benefits.

How does IASTM work?

IASTM is a simple treatment. Here are stages that are involved in IASTM:

Step 1: First of all, patients should need to do a warmup session of 15 minutes. It could be a walk, some workout or jogging. Warmup sessions are essential to get better results.

Step 2: After sitting or lying down on the medical exam table, your physical therapist applies lotion or lubricant to the target area. These lubricants are used to move the tool flexibly on the patient’s scar tissue.

Step 3: In the second step, the physical therapist picks a specific tool to treat your pain and conducts strokes and light scraping in different directions from 30 to 60 degrees angle. This light scraping is only done for 2–3 minutes.

Step 4: IASTM therapist also combines this technique with a variety of exercises, stretches, and therapies to quickly heal the damaged area of tissue.

Step 5: At the last, IASTM practitioners conduct cryotherapy. This cold therapy helps against post-therapy pain, inflammation or swelling. Moreover, it is also recommended for patients to wash the treated area with an excellent antiseptic product to avoid infection.

Results & Benefits of IASTM Treatment

The results and benefits of IASTM have started showing within 2–3 sessions. We are also sharing some core benefits of instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization below:

✓ It helps in relieving the pains associated with myofascial restrictions, sprains, post-surgery scarring and strains.

✓ IASTM is also a good treatment to deal with tendinitis, ITB and carpal tunnel syndromes.

✓ Relief from scar tissue, tennis elbow, fibromyalgia, neck, knee, shoulder and back pains are also some exciting benefits of using this therapy.

Possible Side Effects of IASTM

IASTM doesn’t have any significant side effects. Temporary soreness and redness are common in many cases, but the use of cold therapy can heal this problem. In some rare cases, you can also become a victim of bruising as a side effect of IASTM. However, if you are taking this treatment from a skilled therapist, then you don’t need to worry.

Is Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) Right for Me?

If you want to locate and address your soft tissue scares, pains associated with joints and muscles, then IASTM should be your favourite choice. Especially if you are bored of using pain killers, you must try instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization therapy from a qualified therapist.

It is also a good idea to plan an IASTM session at the Natural Healing Clinic of Belfast. Indeed, Archie Coogan is one of the most seasoned practitioners in Belfast if you are looking for IASTM treatment.