IASTM is another option to resolve pain and tightness in the body. The instruments make it easier to detect fascial dysfunction triggering an inflammatory healing process. IASTM is a method of treating the fascial layer of tissue that is located between the skin and muscle. The three layers are suppose to runs smoothly across each other; however, for various reasons there can be friction amongst these layers. The metal instrument helps to reduce friction, between these layers, allowing for them to glide smoothly across one another; helping to reduce pain, range of motion restrictions, and even nerve entrapments.
Common Issues Treated:
Pin and stretch is a manual, hands on therapy used for certain soft tissue structures in the body. A trained clinician, uses their hands to treat various adhesions within the connective tissue of the body. These adhesions can cause range of motion loss, pain, weakness, numbness and tingling, etc.
After the doctor takes a history and examination, the treatment will begin. Often various injuries to the soft tissue will result in scar tissue that can result in restrictive adhesions. During the examination, the clinician will determine if there are any soft tissue adhesions, and if so may recommended the pin and stretch technique as part of the treatment plan. Pin and stretch is performed with direct contact from the doctor to the patient’s skin. The doctor will pin various structure, and ask the patient to actively move the area in a certain direction to adequately lengthen the restricted tissues. The number of times or length of treatment varies from patient to patient. Many times patients will refer to this treatment style as a “hurt so good” kind of feeling, so some soreness or discomfort during treatment is considered to be normal and expected.
Anyone can surely benefit from the pin and stretch technique. Athletes, office workers, laborers and other hands on jobs, can result in altered movement patterns; making them a great candidate for pin and stretch. Pin and stretch treats muscles, tendons, and ligaments throughout the body by eliminating the restriction from adhesions within the fascia and connective tissue. Anyone with a peripheral nerve entrapment (numbness tingling in upper or lower extremity) could also benefit from this technique.