Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilizations for the Upper Quarter

Course Description

This course will provide the clinician with an understanding of the treatment concepts, as well as specific techniques, in order to effectively incorporate Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilizations (IASTM) to common musculoskeletal disorders of the upper quarter.   This course will review the fascial system, including local and regional fascial tracks, as well as the pathophysiology of fascial dysfunction.  The evidence supporting the biological effects of IASTM on soft tissue healing, as well as clinical outcome studies will be summarized. The treatment principles and parameters of IASTM will be presented, including soft tissue assessment and treatment strategies, indications, relative precautions and absolute contraindications, the role of complimentary treatment approaches and the importance of immediate re-assessment.

Other principles of IASTM, including recommended treatment time, appropriate degree of applied force and proper sequencing of physical therapy interventions will be discussed, based on scientific principles and expert opinion.  Different tool options will be addressed and the advantages and disadvantages of each will be summarized.

This course lecture will be supplemented with extensive video-based techniques. The videos will emphasize correct patient positioning and execution of IASTM techniques.  Clinical relevance will be highlighted throughout the course as specific clinical indications and case studies will be presented.

Course Objectives

At the end of this course, the participant will be able to:

• List 3 specific functions of fascia
• Outline 3 general purposes for using instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilizations (IASTM) for upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders
• Define and contrast the difference between fibrosis and trigger points.
• Enumerate 3 specific biological effects of IASTM
• Provide  3 relative contraindications and absolute contraindications when using IASTM for musculoskeletal disorders.
• Recall five basic stroke techniques used with IASTM and provide the general purpose for each technique.
• List 2 features of IASTM tools and the effect that these features have on the treatment effect (tissue penetration).
• Recall 3 ways to manipulate depth of tissue response when using IASTM
• Paraphrase 5 clinical indications  for using IASTM  to the upper quarter
• Apply basic and advanced IASTM techniques for common upper extremity musculoskeletal conditions.

• Prerequisites

  None

• Educational Level

  Basic

• Other

  Satisfactory completion of this course will require the participant to respond to polling questions asked throughout the webinar & to be logged on during the entire webinar.

  Level of Difficulty for ATs:  Essential Level