Astym therapy is a non-invasive treatment for soft tissue damage. In addition to regenerating soft tissues such as tendons and ligaments, Astym treatment can reduce or eliminate scar tissue so it no longer impedes movement or causes pain. Astym is currently used to treat dozens of medical conditions including carpal tunnel syndrome, plantar fasciitis and overuse injuries.
How Does Astym Work?
“Astym” is an abbreviation for “augmented soft-tissue mobilization.” When they administer Astym treatment, the doctor, chiropractor or physical therapist utilizes specialized FDA registered tools to stimulate soft tissue’s innate regenerative abilities without damaging healthy tissues in the process. Astym therapy does more than repair soft tissues – it also strengthens them so the patient can better adapt to stress without injury.
The three Astym tools are shaped comparably to a shark’s fin, a curved doorstop, and the handle of a horse’s saddle. (The tools themselves are ergonomic so as to spare therapists from repetitive stress injuries as well.) The therapist gently presses and rubs the tools against the patient’s skin. They may also apply a lubricant such as cocoa butter to prevent chafing. The targeted, rhythmic application of Astym tools stimulates soft tissues to produce more of the natural hormones which promote faster yet healthy healing.
Astym therapy is typically administered two times a week for four to five weeks. It is commonly performed in combination with stretching and functional exercise. Patients undergoing Astym therapy are encouraged to stay active and otherwise live as they normally would.
Is Astym Therapy Effective?
Astym therapy is frequently effective when other treatments aren’t because it targets the underlying causes of soft tissue injuries instead of merely addressing their symptoms. Rather than relying on surgery or injections, it simply induces the body to heal itself like it is meant to.
Multiple clinical research trials and over 10,000 independently collected outcomes have concluded that Astym therapy is both safe and effective. It demonstrably produces significantly better outcomes for a wide variety of musculoskeletal disorders. Astym therapy is additionally capable of reducing pain and restoring functionality in cases where scar tissue interferes with normal movement. It is often administered to accelerate recovery from surgery.
Which Conditions Does Astym Therapy Treat?
Astym therapy is commonly used to treat soft tissue injuries and other conditions of the head, neck, spine, shoulder, elbow, forearm, wrist, hand, torso, hip, groin, leg, knee and lower extremities. According to a study conducted in 2020, patients with the following conditions reported significant improvement in their symptoms after undergoing Astym therapy:
- Achilles tendinopathy
- Achilles tendon injury
- Adhesive capsulitis
- Biceps tendinopathy
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Cervical discogenic pain
- Cubital tunnel syndrome
- De Quervain tenosynovitis
- Elbow pain
- Forearm tendinopathy
- Fractured ankle
- IT band syndrome
- Knee degenerative joint disease
- Knee pain
- Lateral epicondylosis
- Neck pain
- Overuse injury
- Pes anserine bursitis
- Piriformis syndrome
- Plantar fasciopathy
- Post-surgical ACL reconstruction
- Post-surgical arthroscopy
- Post-surgical bunionectomy
- Post-surgical carpal tunnel release
- Post-surgical total knee arthroplasty
- Radial tunnel syndrome
- Rotator cuff impingement
- Scar management
- Shin splints
- Shoulder pain
- Sprain
- Strain
- Subacromial bursitis
- Thoracic pain
- Trigger finger
- Trochanteric bursitis
- Ulnar neuritis
Where Can You Receive Astym Therapy?
Astym therapy is currently performed at hospitals, therapy clinics, chiropractic clinics and sports clinics across the world. If you would like to receive Astym therapy in Sioux Falls, SD, then we welcome you to schedule a consultation at Acucare Physical Therapy today!
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