If you’ve ever felt a “stuck” spot in a muscle, tendon, or fascia—especially after an injury—there’s a good chance scar tissue and myofascial restriction are part of the story. At Shaw Spine & Sport, we use a evidence-based soft-tissue approach called IASTM (Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization) to help restore motion, reduce pain, and speed up your return to the activities you love.
What Is IASTM?
IASTM is a skilled myofascial intervention used to evaluate and treat soft tissues like muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia, and related connective tissues. It uses stainless steel instruments with beveled edges and contoured surfaces designed to fit different body regions.
Because the tools can “scan” tissue and apply targeted pressure, IASTM allows for:
- Better detection of tight, fibrotic, or restricted tissue
- Deeper, more specific treatment than hands alone in many cases
- Less strain on the clinician’s hands and joints during repetitive soft-tissue work
IASTM is commonly used by chiropractors, physical therapists, athletic trainers, and occupational therapists as part of a comprehensive rehab plan.
Why Do Scar Tissue and Adhesions Form?
Soft tissue adhesions can develop when your body tries to heal an injury—especially if inflammation lingers or if the area keeps getting re-irritated.
Two common paths:
1) Traumatic injuries (sudden)
Examples include:
- Ankle sprain from a slip or fall
- Hamstring strain
- Whiplash
- Shoulder strain
2) Overuse injuries (gradual)
These build up when the same movement repeats and tissues don’t get enough time to recover.
Examples include:
- Tennis or golfer’s elbow
- Achilles or patellar tendinopathy
- IT band irritation
- Plantar fascia pain
Over time, the body may lay down collagen in a way that’s strong… but not always organized. The result can be thickened tissue, reduced glide, pain with loading, and limited mobility.
How Does IASTM Work?
IASTM combines two key benefits:
1) Improved assessment (“finding the problem”)
The instrument can help identify:
- Dense, fibrotic regions
- Subtle restrictions
- Tender, reactive tissue that needs remodeling
2) Targeted soft-tissue remodeling (“treating the problem”)
IASTM is believed to work through a few mechanisms, including:
- Mechanical disruption of adhesions (helping tissues glide better)
- Increased local circulation (bringing nutrients and clearing irritation byproducts)
- A controlled stimulus to the tissue that may promote a healing response and soft-tissue remodeling
You may hear this described as “controlled microtrauma,” but the goal isn’t to injure you—it’s to deliver a precise stimulus that helps stubborn tissue start responding again, especially when progress has stalled.
What Conditions Can IASTM Help?
IASTM is especially useful for dense, stubborn areas of soft tissue restriction, including:
- Plantar fascia (heel/arch pain)
- IT band tension and lateral hip/knee pain
- Common extensor tendon (tennis elbow)
- Lumbar fascia and persistent low back tightness
- Knee capsule stiffness and limited knee range of motion
- Tendinopathies (Achilles, patellar, rotator cuff—when appropriate)
- Post-injury or post-surgical scar tissue (with proper timing and guidance)
It’s often most effective when paired with a full plan that may include mobility work, strengthening, rehab exercises, and movement retraining—not just soft-tissue work alone.
Benefits of IASTM (Clinicians + Patients)
For Patients
- May reduce overall treatment time by improving tissue mobility more efficiently
- Supports faster return to activity when combined with proper rehab
- Can decrease reliance on anti-inflammatory medication for some people (always follow your medical guidance)
- Helps address chronic tightness and restrictions that don’t respond to stretching alone
For Clinicians (why we like it)
- Improves precision when treating fibrosis and adhesions
- Helps detect major and minor tissue changes
- Reduces repetitive strain on hands and joints
- Often improves patient confidence because results can be noticeable quickly
What to Expect During an IASTM Session
A typical visit includes:
- Assessment of your movement, symptoms, and the tissue involved
- IASTM treatment using stainless-steel tools and controlled pressure
- Corrective rehab (mobility or strengthening) to “lock in” the improved motion
- Plan guidance so you know how often to come in and what to do at home
Does IASTM hurt?
It shouldn’t be unbearable. You may feel:
- A scraping or “gritty” sensation over restricted tissue
- Mild to moderate discomfort in sensitive spots
We adjust pressure based on your tolerance and the condition being treated.
Bruising or redness?
Some people experience temporary redness or mild bruising, especially early on. That’s not always necessary for results, and we can modify technique if your body tends to bruise easily.
Why We Combine IASTM With Active Rehab
Soft-tissue work helps restore mobility—but strength and movement patterns keep it.
That’s why we often pair IASTM with:
- Active rehab exercises
- Restoring joint motion
- Technique adjustments (running, lifting, workplace posture, sport mechanics)
- Return-to-sport progressions
This “treat + train” approach is how you get results that last.
Ready to See if IASTM Can Help You?
If you’re dealing with stubborn tightness, recurring pain, or scar tissue that seems to limit your performance, IASTM may be a great fit—especially as part of a complete conservative care plan.
Next step: Schedule an appointment at Shaw Spine & Sport and we’ll determine whether IASTM, hands-on soft tissue work, rehab, or another approach is best for your specific problem.
