Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM)

IASTM is a technique used to treat soft tissue restrictions (i.e., knots or scar tissue).  It involves scraping an area of restriction with controlled pressure using stainless steel, jade, or plastic tools.  As the instruments glide over the skin, they provide tactile feedback, allowing me to detect subtle changes in tissue texture.  When restriction is found, focused and controlled pressure is applied to the area in a scraping-like manner to stimulate the smoothing of adhesions.  

Some people, depending on the intensity of the session and their skin tone, will notice mild redness or pinpoint bruising.  These marks are called petechiae (they are not bruises).  The scraping action of the tool creates friction on the skin, leading to a small amount of blood to leak from superficial capillaries.  The leak finds its way to the skin, leaving a hickey-like appearance.    The marks are a normal and temporary reaction to the scraping stimulus and tend to fade within a few days.