Body Wisdom Massage School’s Blog

As massage therapists, we constantly seek ways to enhance our practice, improve client outcomes, and broaden our skill sets. One powerful tool gaining traction in the therapeutic world is Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM). 

I became aware of this technique in January 2019 from an article in Massage Magazine, but it was only after I saw my body’s fantastic results that I took notice!  When I could completely cure my Plantar Fasciitis in only three self-applied treatments, I knew we had to bring this modality to Body Wisdom Massage School students and grads.  We are the first massage school in the USA to teach IASTM, and our first 16-hour IASTM CE Course will be held in early October.  If you haven’t yet explored this technique, now might be the perfect time to consider how it can complement your existing massage therapy practice.

What is IASTM:
IASTM stands for Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization. This technique involves using specialized tools to detect and treat fascial restrictions, adhesions, and scar tissue within the body’s soft tissues. The tools, typically made of stainless steel, are designed to help the therapist apply targeted pressure and mobilization to specific areas, enhancing the effectiveness of the treatment.

The Benefits of IASTM:
Incorporating IASTM into your massage therapy practice offers numerous benefits, both for you as a therapist and for your clients:

1. Enhanced Precision and Efficiency: The tools used in IASTM allow for more precise assessment and targeting of problematic areas. This means you can work more efficiently, potentially reducing the physical strain on your hands and body. The scanning and assessment strokes with IASTM tools are thought to be over 30X more sensitive than palpating with your hands, similar to when a doctor uses a stethoscope to amplify the feedback from the body. During the assessment, the therapist and the client can feel the abnormal gritty, sand-like, restrictive collagen fibers vibrating through the IASTM instrument.

2. Improved Client Outcomes: IASTM has been shown to help treat chronic conditions such as tendinitis, plantar fasciitis, and IT band syndrome. By breaking down scar tissue and fascial restrictions, clients often experience quicker and more sustained relief from pain and improved range of motion. In my experience, the results can be very dramatic!

3. Versatility: IASTM can be integrated with various massage techniques, including deep tissue, sports massage, and even gentle relaxation therapies. This versatility allows you to tailor treatments to each client’s specific needs.

4. Professional Growth: Learning and mastering IASTM can set you apart in a competitive field. It demonstrates your commitment to professional development and willingness to adopt innovative methods to enhance client care.

How IASTM Works:

The process of IASTM involves several key steps:

1. Assessment: Before treatment begins, a thorough assessment is conducted to identify areas of restriction or dysfunction. This can involve both visual and palpation/scanning techniques with IASTM tools.

2. Application: Using the IASTM tools, the therapist applies controlled pressure to the superficial fascia of the affected tissues. This helps to break up the disorderly collagen matrix between fascial layers, promoting more glide between adjacent structures. IASTM also helps initiate a healing response by increasing blood flow and stimulating the body’s natural healing processes.

3. Treatment Techniques: IASTM includes various techniques, including sweeping, fanning, brushing, and scooping. Each technique targets different tissue depths and types of restrictions. Most treatments for targeted body areas take only 3-5 minutes, so they’re very efficient and convenient to add to any massage treatment protocol.

4. After Care: Recommendations for stretching and staying hydrated.

Getting Started with IASTM:
If you want to incorporate IASTM into your practice, Body Wisdom Massage School has a 16-hour CE Course that will give you the knowledge and tools to get started.  IASTM is particularly well suited for therapists doing injury work with their clients.  A solid understanding of anatomy and physiology is required and is a prerequisite for Body Wisdom’s IASTM course.

What NOT to do:
There are a lot of harmful and even dangerous techniques on display on social media. You don’t want to pick up a spoon, butter knife, or even a legit IASTM tool and start scraping around without proper training and knowledge. I know of immediately eight absolute (red flag) and seven relative (yellow flag) contraindications. With the appropriate training, it’s a powerful and very safe technique. Get trained. Be safe!

IASTM is a valuable addition to any massage therapy practice. By enhancing your ability to treat soft tissue dysfunction and providing clients with improved outcomes, you expand your professional toolkit and demonstrate your commitment to delivering the best possible care. So, why not explore IASTM and see how it can elevate your practice to new heights?

Please reserve your spot now and join us as one of the first Massage Therapists to employ this new technique!

Contact G. Kelly M-F 9-5PM at 515-727-4890
or G.Kelley@bodywisdomschool.com