Cathy Orlando Physical Therapy
What is IASTM (Graston)?
Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM aka Graston) is the breaking up of myofascial tension/muscle fibers and promoting new blood flow to the area. This is done more by a “scraping” motion using an instrument with varying edges to achieve improved myofascial mobility. It can be combined with motion or while maintaining a stretch.
How Does IASTM (Graston) work?
The scraping motion of IASTM (Graston) physically breaks up what’s “caught up”, but also promotes an irritation to the structures to stimulate the body to bring more blood flow to the area. IASTM results in improved flexibility and a new "healing response".
What areas can IASTM (Graston) help?
IASTM (Graston) can treat all the muscle and myofascia of the body to help with joint pain (knee, hip, ankle, foot, shoulder, elbow, wrist), spine pain (neck, mid-back, low back), can help release along the nerve pathways to help decrease the pull on the nerve, and promote restoration of blood flow/circulation to areas of strained muscle.