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Pay My Bill What is Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM)?
Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) is an effective manual therapy treatment to help relieve pain from soft-tissue injuries. Physical therapists use specially designed tools to help remodel scar tissue, increase range of motion and decrease pain. There are multiple types of IASTM products including ASTYM, Hawkgrips and Graston Technique. Despite their differences, each technique is designed to improve blood flow and scar tissue mobility, decrease muscle spasms and improve healing.
Benefits
A trained clinician will use a specially designed tool to help assist with treatment over areas within the muscle, tendon or scar tissue. This type of treatment will enhance healing and help improving the flow of fluid in and around the pain area. Patients can expect improvement of function after one to four treatments.
Patients with a wide variety of symptoms related to chronic pain, muscle spasm or scar tissue buildup may benefit from IASTM.
Common Diagnoses
Common diagnosis treated with IASTM are:
- Painful scars
- Tennis elbow
- Runners knee (patellar tendonitis)
- Golfers elbow
- IT band syndrome
- Other tendonitis or tendinosis
- Shin splints
- Carpal Tunnel syndrome
- Fibromyalgia
- Low back and neck pain
- Joint sprain
- Plantar fasciitis
- Post-fracture pain
- De quervains syndrome
- Caesarean scarring
- Post mastectomy
*Services are not available at all locations. Call or click the location page near you for that center’s services.
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Learn MoreWhat to Expect
Every patient has a unique health history, diagnosis and personal goals. When you come for your first appointment, we will create a personalized treatment plan for you.
We work with most major insurance providers and do our best to help keep the paperwork pain-free. If you’d like to confirm your insurance coverage, please let us know and we can verify when you schedule. If your insurance provider requires a co-pay, we will ask for this payment at each visit. We accept payments by cash, check or credit card.
When to Arrive
On average, a patient’s first visit lasts about an hour. We typically ask patients to arrive 15 minutes early to sign-in, complete paperwork and/or change clothes.
What to Bring
On your first visit, you’ll need to bring your physician referral or prescription (if needed), your insurance card, your primary registration forms, your ID or driver’s license and your co-payment (as applicable). If desired, you may bring a change of clothing.
How it Works
During your first visit, your physical therapist will do an initial evaluation and discuss your plan of care. The therapist uses this information to set goals for your continued treatment. Physical therapy goals may include improved movement, strength, endurance and flexibility, as well as decreased pain. Your subsequent visits will focus on treatment that is based on your diagnosis and individualized goals.
