ask: ASTYM System - Has Anyone Had This Type of Treatment?

For those who don't know, ASTYM stands for 'Augmented Soft-Tissue Manipulation.' It is a procedure in which a clinician uses specific instruments to, in essence, deep-tissue-massage scar tissue beneath the skin. As those instruments are pushed and dragged against the skin, they encourage the body to start healing beneath the surface, the ASTYM website says.

In case you haven't visited its website, here's a link:

http://www.astym.com/professionals/

And here's an article that cites studies about the practice of using tools in massage (instead of just hands) and what the thinking is behind it:

http://www.chiroweb.com/mpacms/dc/article.php?id=46222

I hope that if anyone has had this type of treatment, they'll weigh in and let us know how it worked for them.

I have had about 8 treatments with ASTYM, and although I was highly skeptical at first, now believe this is an effective treatment. I had serious knee joint pain, (which MRI's and CT scans revealed no indications as to why.) which began as I was going through Corrections officer academy. I would like to reassure you that the uncomfortable feeling will diminish, as your condition improves. I had several "hot spots" that were super sensitive in the beginning, but are now only mildly uncompfortable. Stick with the process, and I think you will soon begin to see results.
Incidentally, my family Physician is treated by the same PT as me, and he is also a firm believer in the ASTYM process.

I am in the process of receiving ASTYM treatment for a torn calf muscle. I had eight treatments and it stills brings me to tears. I bruise pretty badly afterwards too, but it has gotten me back to running quicker than the traditional RICE (rest ice compression).

I am currently going through this process right now for both of my elbows. I was diagnosed with tennis elbow on my left arm and golfers elbow on the right. After 8 regular physical therapy sessions, I was not improving. My Ortho recommeded 8 additional treatments and ASTYM was introduced. Yes, it is painful and my arms are showing the bruises to prove it...but I am noticing that I can use my arms again for simple repetative movements. I have 4 more treatments to go and am not really looking forward to them...but for improvement of my life style...I am. This is wonderful!!!

I'm three months post shoulder surgery for a proximal fracture of the humerus and damage to the rotator cuff. After a lot of at home therapy and now 7 physical therapy sessions I am still unable to raise my arm to shoulder height and beyond without substantial pain and a sensation of the arm being restrained so today my therapist introduced me to my first ASTYM treatment. There is pain associated with ASTYM but only for the short time your therapist works on you. I didn't find it any more painful than the deep tissue massage the therapist has been doing. Both processes make you very tender. Immediately after ASTYM treatment you could see all the improved circulation to the area - warm to the touch and rosy red skin that lasts for hours later. My scar looks really red and inflamed and I have cottage cheese type bumps along part of the scar that I didn't see or feel before. Happy to share experiences as I continue through this if that's helpful for any one. My therapist suggested that I should see improvement with three to four more ASTYM sessions.

I had this treatment and, yes, it is very painful, but the results are amazing. Hang in there. I had a total hip replacement resulting in permanent nerve damage. I felt as though a tight band around my thigh was the result of the implant being too small for my femur and my femur would eventually fracture. I had ASTYM treatments on the opposite side of my thigh which ended in releasing the band of tight tissue. Go for it - the pain is over as soon as the PT stops.

Thanks everyone for your encouraging words. I finished treatment and it has really helped. As painful as it was in the beginning the end result was worth it.