Finding the Knots Your Hands Can’t Feel
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Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilisation (IASTM) uses specially designed tools to detect and treat restrictions in muscle, fascia, and scar tissue. As the tool glides over the treatment area, your physiotherapist can feel tissue irregularities that are harder to detect by hand alone, then applies targeted pressure to those specific areas to help release restriction and support tissue healing.
Not all soft tissue restriction is easy to feel by hand, that’s exactly why instrument assisted soft tissue mobilisation exists. At Mary Physiotherapy, every session starts with a real assessment to identify exactly where restriction, scar tissue, or adhesions are actually located, rather than applying treatment broadly and hoping it lands somewhere useful.
Instrument assisted soft tissue mobilisation is also never delivered in isolation here. It’s coordinated with your exercise therapy and manual treatment as part of one connected recovery plan, so the tissue release you gain from IASTM is supported by the rest of your care.
IASTM massage therapy targets scar tissue built up after surgery or injury, helping break down restrictions that limit movement.
Restricted fascia and tight muscle bands that haven't responded to stretching or manual therapy alone can be directly targeted with IASTM.
For conditions like tennis elbow or Achilles tendinopathy, IASTM therapy helps address the tissue restriction contributing to persistent pain.
Targeted treatment of the plantar fascia can help ease the tightness and restriction behind chronic heel and arch pain.
IASTM can help release tension along the IT band, easing pain associated with overuse or repetitive movement.
Following surgery, IASTM can help address the tissue restriction that builds up during the healing process, supporting better mobility.
Broader fascial tightness affecting movement and posture can be identified and treated with targeted IASTM therapy.
By releasing the tissue restriction limiting movement, IASTM massage therapy supports a fuller, more comfortable range of motion in the treated area.
The tool's edge can identify subtle tissue restrictions and adhesions that are difficult to feel through manual palpation alone.
Helpful for breaking down scar tissue and adhesions following injury or surgery.
Releasing soft tissue restriction supports better movement and flexibility in the treated area.
Encourages localized blood flow to the treated area, supporting your body's natural tissue repair.
Addressing the underlying tissue tightness can ease pain that hasn't fully resolved with stretching or manual therapy alone.
Particularly useful for tendinopathy and overuse injuries where general treatment has plateaued.
Vibhu Mittal, BSc. PT (2001), brings over 17 years of experience across government hospitals, private clinics, and diverse settings in two countries. With expertise in orthopedics, neurology, and sports physiotherapy, she’s further trained in Kinesiotaping, Functional Dry Needling, Vestibular Rehabilitation, and spinal manipulation across the cervical, thoracic, lumbar, and full spine.
I’m a Physiotherapist with 3+ years of clinical experience in India. I completed my BPT from Lovely Professional University and have experience in hospital, private, and home-based rehabilitation. I’m currently working as a Physiotherapy Assistant (PTA) at Mary Physiotherapy Clinic in Chilliwack, BC.
Hello, my name is Simranjot Kaur, and I am a dedicated and friendly Medical Office Assistant with a background in Computer Information Systems. My education has helped me develop strong computer, communication, organizational, and administrative skills.
We evaluate your muscle and soft tissue for restrictions, scar tissue, or adhesions contributing to your symptoms.
Your physiotherapist identifies specific areas to target based on what the assessment reveals.
The tool is applied directly to the treatment area with varying pressure to detect and address tissue restriction. You may feel some pressure or mild discomfort, particularly over more restricted areas.
Mild bruising or redness at the treatment site is common and typically resolves within a few days. We'll explain what to expect.
We reassess tissue mobility and symptoms each session, adjusting treatment as your tissue responds.
IASTM continues as part of your broader treatment plan until your goals are met.
Treatment areas are identified through physical assessment, not applied broadly regardless of where the restriction actually is.
IASTM is coordinated with your exercise therapy and manual treatment here, working toward the same recovery goals rather than as an isolated session.
A targeted option when other treatments have plateaued, particularly for post-surgical or long-standing soft tissue issues.
We explain the sensation and any temporary marking (mild bruising or redness is common) before starting, so nothing catches you off guard.
Treatment intensity is guided by your feedback in the moment, not a fixed pressure applied regardless of sensitivity.
We check tissue mobility and symptom changes at each visit, adjusting treatment areas as restrictions actually resolve.
Book your laser therapy session with Mary Physiotherapy today.
We are proud to offer direct billing services to a wide range of leading insurance providers, making it easier for you to access the care you need without the stress of handling paperwork.
You may feel pressure or mild discomfort, particularly over more restricted tissue, but it’s generally well-tolerated. Your therapist will adjust pressure based on your feedback.
Mild bruising or redness at the treatment site is common and usually resolves within a few days and it’s a normal response, not a sign of injury.
IASTM uses a hand-held tool applied to the skin’s surface to detect and treat tissue restriction, while dry needling uses thin needles inserted into specific muscle trigger points. They address soft tissue issues differently, and your therapist can help determine which is the better fit for your condition.
IASTM uses a rigid-edged tool rather than hands, allowing for more precise detection of tissue restrictions and deeper, more targeted treatment in specific areas.
It varies by condition, particularly for scar tissue or chronic restriction.
Scar tissue, tendinopathy, plantar fasciitis, myofascial restriction, and chronic soft tissue injuries that haven’t fully responded to other treatments.
Yes. This is covered by most extended health plans, consistent with our other treatments. Coverage details can vary, so we recommend confirming with your provider.
No referral is required to book an IASTM assessment.
Helpful insights on physiotherapy, rehabilitation, injury recovery, and staying active from the team at Mary Physiotherapy in Chilliwack.
