I am an ASTYM certified Physical Therapist with 29 years of experience in physical therapy. I would like to respond to the commenters/patients who stated that the ASTYM treatment was very painful. The instruments used during the treatment are designed to stimulate tissue regeneration. As the instruments are used, the therapist can "feel" when they contact the dysfunctional and abnormal tissue with the appropriate amount of force to achieve the required result. However, if this amount of pressue is not tolerable, please let your ASTYM provider know so that they can adjust the treatment force. It may be that your therapist can lesson the pressure and still achieve enough contact with the dysfunctional tissue. If not, he or she can adjust your treament, using gentler treatment measures, until ASTYM is better tolerated. And again, although ASTYM treament is highly effective in treating a variety of chronic musculoskeletal disorders which have been recalcitrant to other interventions, no treatment is 100%, and for any treatment to be effective requires good communication by both parties. In general, ASTYM may be uncomfortable at times, since dysfunctional tissue is not normal. But overall, there should not be any significant, intolerable, or lasting/worsening pain beyond the second or third session-- even in the most chronic cases. Also, following any ASTYM session it is VERY important to drink plenty of water, perform your home stretches regularly and use heat or ice as advised by your treating therapist.
Warner Brock, PT, MBA, CMDT, CEAS
Owner, Lanier Therapy in Motion
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I am an ASTYM certified Physical Therapist with 29 years of experience in physical therapy. I would like to respond to the commenters/patients who stated that the ASTYM treatment was very painful. The instruments used during the treatment are designed to stimulate tissue regeneration. As the instruments are used, the therapist can "feel" when they contact the dysfunctional and abnormal tissue with the appropriate amount of force to achieve the required result. However, if this amount of pressue is not tolerable, please let your ASTYM provider know so that they can adjust the treatment force. It may be that your therapist can lesson the pressure and still achieve enough contact with the dysfunctional tissue. If not, he or she can adjust your treament, using gentler treatment measures, until ASTYM is better tolerated. And again, although ASTYM treament is highly effective in treating a variety of chronic musculoskeletal disorders which have been recalcitrant to other interventions, no treatment is 100%, and for any treatment to be effective requires good communication by both parties. In general, ASTYM may be uncomfortable at times, since dysfunctional tissue is not normal. But overall, there should not be any significant, intolerable, or lasting/worsening pain beyond the second or third session-- even in the most chronic cases. Also, following any ASTYM session it is VERY important to drink plenty of water, perform your home stretches regularly and use heat or ice as advised by your treating therapist.
February 24, 2014 - 12:18amWarner Brock, PT, MBA, CMDT, CEAS
Owner, Lanier Therapy in Motion
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