Break Up Restrictions. Restore Movement. Get Back to Doing What You Love.
Pain and stiffness aren't always caused by weakness. Sometimes the problem is how muscles, tendons, ligaments, and connective tissue move.
Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) is a specialized hands-on treatment that uses precision-designed stainless steel instruments to identify and treat soft tissue restrictions. By improving tissue mobility and reducing areas of irritation, IASTM can help decrease pain, improve movement, and support the body's natural healing process.
At Foundation Physical Therapy, IASTM is never a stand-alone treatment. It is used as part of a comprehensive rehabilitation program that includes movement assessment, therapeutic exercise, education, and individualized treatment planning.
What Is IASTM?
Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) is an evidence-based treatment that uses specially designed stainless steel tools to gently glide across the skin.
These instruments allow your physical therapist to detect areas of tissue restriction that may not be easily felt with the hands alone. Controlled pressure is then applied to improve the mobility of muscles, tendons, fascia, and scar tissue.
IASTM is commonly used to improve movement, reduce pain, and restore normal tissue function following injury or repetitive overuse.
How Does IASTM Work?
Healthy soft tissue should glide smoothly as you move. Following an injury, surgery, or repetitive stress, scar tissue and connective tissue restrictions can develop. These restrictions may reduce flexibility, limit motion, and contribute to ongoing pain.
IASTM works by applying controlled mechanical pressure to these restricted tissues. This treatment may help:
Improve tissue mobility
Increase blood flow to the affected area
Stimulate the body's natural healing response
Improve flexibility
Reduce pain
Restore normal movement patterns
The treatment itself does not "break up scar tissue" in the way it is sometimes described. Instead, it helps improve tissue mobility and encourages healthy remodeling of the affected tissues over time.
What Conditions Can IASTM Help Treat?
IASTM may be beneficial for many orthopedic and sports-related conditions, including:
During your evaluation, we'll determine whether IASTM is appropriate for your specific condition.
What Should I Expect During Treatment?
Your treatment begins with a thorough evaluation to determine the source of your symptoms.
If IASTM is appropriate, your physical therapist will apply a small amount of lotion or treatment balm to the skin before gently gliding specialized stainless steel instruments over the affected area.
You may feel:
Mild pressure
A scraping or gliding sensation
Areas that feel more tender or "gritty"
Temporary warmth in the treated tissue
Treatment usually lasts only a few minutes and is often followed by stretching, strengthening exercises, mobility work, or other manual therapy techniques to reinforce the improvements made during treatment.
Will I Bruise?
Not necessarily.
While older IASTM techniques often produced significant bruising, current evidence suggests bruising is not necessary for successful treatment.
Some people experience mild redness or temporary skin discoloration that typically resolves within a day or two. Treatment is adjusted based on your comfort level and clinical needs.
Our goal is to improve tissue mobility—not create unnecessary soreness.
Is IASTM Safe?
Yes. When performed by a licensed physical therapist, IASTM is considered a safe treatment for many musculoskeletal conditions.
However, it may not be appropriate for everyone. Certain medical conditions, medications, skin conditions, or recent injuries may make other treatment approaches more appropriate.
Your therapist will determine whether IASTM is the right choice during your evaluation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does IASTM hurt?
Most patients describe the treatment as mildly uncomfortable rather than painful. Areas with greater tissue restriction may feel more sensitive, but treatment should always remain within a tolerable range.
Is IASTM the same as massage?
No. While both involve soft tissue treatment, IASTM uses specialized instruments and is designed to improve tissue mobility and movement rather than simply promote relaxation.
How many treatments will I need?
The number of treatments depends on your condition, how long you've had symptoms, your activity level, and your response to treatment. Many patients notice improvements within the first few visits when IASTM is combined with exercise and movement retraining.
Will I receive exercises too?
Absolutely. IASTM works best when paired with individualized exercises that help your body maintain the improved mobility achieved during treatment.
Why Choose Foundation Physical Therapy?
At Foundation Physical Therapy, every treatment is guided by a thorough evaluation—not a protocol. We don’t believe in the “no pain, no gain” theory—therapy should not leave you in more pain than when you started.
IASTM is only recommended when it is the right treatment for your condition and goals. It is integrated into a comprehensive rehabilitation program that may also include manual therapy, therapeutic exercise, dry needling, blood flow restriction training, shockwave therapy, and movement education.
You'll receive one-on-one care with the same physical therapist every visit, ensuring your treatment evolves as you recover.
Ready to Move More Comfortably?
If pain, stiffness, or soft tissue restrictions are limiting your daily activities, IASTM may help restore normal movement and reduce discomfort.