IASTM / Gua Sha

(Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilisation)

IASTM is an acronym for instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization. This is a fancy way of describing using a tool to manipulate the body tissues instead of using hands like in a massage. You may have heard some people call IASTM “scraping.” Moreover, you may have heard people refer to Graston and Gua Sha, which are two different types of IASTM.

IASTM has the same physiological effect on the body as massage. It increases blood flow to the area being treated, increases tissue pliability, increases exchange of waste and nutrients from tissue to the bloodstream (more bad out, more good in), and increases heat in the area being treated which induces relaxation to that area. The benefits of using IASTM over massage are that there can be more accurate pressure placed to a problematic area and it helps the clinician by being easier on their hands.

Generally speaking, there are two main steps in IASTM. The first is scanning, in which broad pressure is applied to locate “trigger points” or adhesions below the skin in the muscle. Then, more direct and accurate pressure is used in a variety of techniques to remove those adhesions.

IASTM is a great addition to massage or can be used on its own, and is a great way to relieve chronic muscle tension or pain after an injury.