You may have seen or heard of bodywork that involves the use of a plastic or metal instrument to assist in softening the muscles and loosening scar tissue. In broad terms, you may have heard it called “Instrument Assisted” manipulations or “Graston”. In this article, we are going to talk about a very specific and effective method referred to as “Augmented Soft Tissue Manipulation”, or ASTYM for short.

In a nutshell, ASTYM is a hands-on technique used to jumpstart the healing process, eliminate scar tissue, and enhance muscle performance. ASTYM utilizes multiple instruments designed to provide specific pressure in a way to ignite the body’s own healing ability!

ASTYM specifically has been well documented with over 10,000 independent patient cases recorded, resolving 92% of those ailments. The ASTYM protocol has been shown to be effective within as little as four weeks with treatments typically lasting between 15-30 minutes followed by specific stretching and strengthening. After a thorough examination, your certified ASTYM therapist will explain how this treatment could benefit you, how often they recommend the use of it, and how long to expect results.

As mentioned above, a typical treatment may last 15-30 minutes. During that session your certified ASTYM therapist will use custom tools to target the area of damage gliding them along your skin in the direction of the muscle fibers. You may feel bumps, or “grittiness” as the instrument glides along your skin and this is the area of damaged tissue. Using a specific ASTYM protocol your therapist will work with you to smooth out those areas over time resulting in healthier tissue. After your treatment, you may experience soreness or bruising. Although it may be surprising, these are very common side effects. This is because the treatment creates small micro-tears in the muscles that re-ignite your body’s own healing mechanisms!

Barring any reasons why this would not be a good treatment option, ASTYM is basically for anyone suffering from muscular or tendon issues or has movement restrictions due to an abnormal buildup of scar tissue. Whether you are someone who has limitations following surgery, or an injury has caught up to you, ASTYM may be your chance to break free of restrictions and regain normal mobility again. Although it has been shown to be effective for conditions from head to toe, this form of treatment is specifically beneficial for anyone suffering from an “-itis” or overuse condition such as Achilles tendinitis, plantar fasciitis, hamstring strains, rotator cuff tendinitis, etc.

One of my favorite things about ASTYM is seeing change in an individual who previously thought they would just have to live with their condition. While there are many instruments on the market claiming to target the soft tissues, ASTYM is unique in its design, technique, and application. In addition, ASTYM is backed by extensive research to document its effectiveness. If you are ready to improve how you move, contact us today at (504) 407-3477 or info@tandempt.com to see if ASTYM is your next option for optimal health!