IASTM & COLD LASER

IASTM is short for Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization. This technique uses a variety of tools to break muscle adhesions and scar tissue in the muscles. This helps the body to reabsorb the debris and begin the process of healing. It creates a local inflammatory response during the treatment and slightly after, allowing the body to start remodeling the area. This helps to increase and reestablish the normal function and range of motion of the muscles.

Conditions that may benefit from IASTM therapy

• Carpal Tunnel
• Tennis Elbow
• Golfer’s Elbow
• Plantar Fasciitis
• Achilles Tendonitis
• Rotator Cuff Tendonitis
• Lumbar Sprain/ Strain
• Trigger Finger
• Knee Pain
• Scar Tissue
• Hamstring/Hip/IT Band 
  

How does the Cold Laser help my healing?

At The Optimal Living Institute we combine our IASTM session with cold laser therapy. This is designed to repair tissue, reduce pain and reduce inflammation of the target tissue. This works by stimulating the mitochondria in the tissue and allows the cells to produce more ATP. This is the natural healing process that the body has and using cold laser therapy can increase the efficiency of the healing process.

What does my IASTM & Cold Laser session look like?

At your initial session, your provider will take a health history and may conduct a range of motion or other testing to establish goals for your treatment plan. They will then decide the best way to do your treatment. Your provider may scrape you first and then put you under the laser or they may have the laser going during your session. Depending upon those factors your session may last either 20 minutes or 40 minutes. After your session you may notice some bruising in the area and that is a normal response to the treatment. You will need to wait for your bruises to clear up before you are scraped in the exact spot again. Your provider may recommend for you to come in even if you are still bruised because they might need to scrape a different area of your muscles. After your session make sure to drink a lot of water and to go on a walk or stretch!