ASTYM™
What is the ASTYM Process? Finally, an answer for scar tissue and degenerative tendon problems! ASTYM treatment directly addresses unhealthy soft tissue through an innovative treatment process that years of scientific research and clinical trials have demonstrated to be effective.
A certified clinician, following a specific protocol, non-invasively locates and treats the dysfunctional tissue using specially designed, patented instrumentation. This approach induces the patient’s body to respond by initiating the healing cascade. This includes macrophage mediated phagocytosis (microdebridement) and local release of growth factors that result in an increase in fibroblast recruitment and activation. A customized stretching and exercise program is prescribed to promote optimal tissue healing and collagen remodeling. Throughout the treatment, patients are encouraged to stay active in their work, sport or daily activities. This is important, as it facilitates stronger and more functional tissue and decreases the risk of re-injury.
Why is ASTYM Treatment Unique?
ASTYM treatment is a process, not a just a tool.
Humans have been using tools of one sort or another to assist in deep-tissue massage for a very long time. In China, reports of tool-assisted massage go back thousands of years. In the West, tooled massage has been around since the 1930s. Today it’s possible to find a massage tool of practically any size or shape (Gua Sha, Graston Technique, SASTM, etc.), some complete with information on how to mechanically break down tissue adhesions, save your hands and “go deeper.” Although ASTYM treatment uses tools, it’s not a massage technique. Nor is it simply a way to save your hands or get deeper into the tissue. The ASTYM treatment is a system of healing and restoration, unlike any other.
A different treatment with a different philosophy and different goals.
In the mid 1990s, we got curious about how rehab professionals could better encourage healing in degenerative soft tissue. The most effective treatment at the time was cross-fiber massage, designed to break adhesions. At first we thought that adding instruments to these techniques would save our hands and make the process more efficient, which it did. But our results were not always as good as we desired, so we tried modifying our techniques. We began seeing significant improvements in patients. As doctors and researchers, we knew we needed to perform research necessary to figure out what worked and why.
We created the ASTYM process from careful research.
Through our efforts in the lab and the clinic, we discovered that rather than just break adhesions and stretch out the dysfunctional tissue that was present, we could actually change the tissue. This marked a significant advancement in the treatment of tendinopathies and scar tissue, because it meant that we could help patients regain healthy tissue, not just make the most of their dysfunctional tissue. The trick was determining treatment parameters as well as the right amount of stimulus to insure optimal healing. We continued to perform lab research, clinical research, and collect outcomes, making advancements with each step. As we fine-tuned everything from stroke direction to specific pressure to what we did therapeutically before and after treatment, we found the results continued to improve. Eventually our treatment evolved into a specific process that was safe, effective and could be repeated consistently – what we now call ASTYM treatment.
Not just the same old manual therapy – it’s clearly better.
When you put a tool in your hand-whether you’re a carpenter or a rehab professional – it’s critical to know exactly what you’re doing or someone can get hurt. With ASTYM treatment, you have research and data to support the treatment process patients receive. The ASTYM protocol specifies the treatment parameters that allow you to stimulate immediate healing in abnormal tissue without damaging normal tissue. The ASTYM treatment “recipe” strengthens the new collagen being laid down by incorporating the most effective stretches and strengthening exercises for each particular injury.
ASTYM treatment – we’re not selling tools, we’re delivering results.
We are the physicians, clinicians and researchers who have done the clinical research. We continue to focus on and study the best way to help people heal. ASTYM treatment is a therapeutic process that is safe, maximally effective and consistently delivers excellent results – everything else is simply massage with tools.