Tissue Mobilisation

Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilisation (IASTM)

Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilisation, commonly known as IASTM, is a specialised hands-on treatment used to help reduce pain, improve mobility and support recovery from injury.

Using carefully designed stainless steel instruments, IASTM allows clinicians to assess and treat soft tissue restrictions that may be contributing to pain, stiffness or reduced movement. It is a safe, non-invasive treatment that can be used as a standalone therapy or as part of a wider rehabilitation programme.

At The Bear Truth Clinic, IASTM is often combined with physiotherapy, movement therapy, rehabilitation exercises and strength training to help achieve the best possible outcomes.

What Is IASTM Used For?

Throughout life, our muscles, tendons and connective tissues can be affected by injury, repetitive movement, surgery, inactivity and everyday wear and tear.

These changes may contribute to:

  • Soft tissue restrictions
  • Scar tissue formation
  • Fascial tightness
  • Tendon irritation
  • Reduced flexibility
  • Painful movement patterns
  • Loss of mobility and function

IASTM helps identify and address these restrictions by applying controlled pressure through specialised instruments designed to glide smoothly across the skin and underlying tissues.

How Does It Work?

The instruments allow your therapist to detect changes in tissue texture and movement that may not always be apparent through hands alone.

By applying targeted treatment to affected areas, IASTM may help to:

  • Improve tissue mobility
  • Reduce pain and stiffness
  • Enhance circulation
  • Promote tissue healing
  • Improve flexibility and range of motion
  • Support recovery following injury
  • Improve movement efficiency

Many clients describe the treatment as a deep massage sensation, with pressure adjusted according to individual comfort levels.

Conditions That May Benefit From IASTM

IASTM can be helpful in the management of a variety of musculoskeletal conditions, including:

  • Tennis elbow and golfer's elbow
  • Achilles tendinopathy
  • Plantar fasciitis
  • Neck and back pain
  • Shoulder pain
  • IT band syndrome
  • Patellofemoral pain
  • Muscle strains and soft tissue injuries
  • Scar tissue following injury or surgery
  • Chronic movement restrictions
  • Tendon and overuse injuries

Suitability for treatment will always be assessed during your consultation.

Why Combine IASTM With Rehabilitation?

Whilst hands-on treatment can help improve tissue mobility and reduce symptoms, lasting results are usually achieved by combining treatment with movement and exercise.

At The Bear Truth Clinic, IASTM is often integrated into a broader treatment plan that may include:

  • Physiotherapy
  • Strength training
  • Mobility work
  • Corrective exercise
  • NeuroKinetic Therapy®
  • Movement retraining

This allows us not only to address the symptoms, but also to help resolve the underlying factors contributing to the problem.

A Practical Approach to Recovery

The goal of IASTM is not simply to make tissues feel better temporarily. It is to help restore movement, reduce discomfort and create the conditions for long-term recovery.

Whether you're recovering from injury, dealing with persistent stiffness or looking to improve the way your body moves, IASTM can be a valuable part of your treatment journey at The Bear Truth Clinic.