What is it?

The ASTYM (A-stim) system is a soft tissue intervention that allows the clinician to stimulate the body’s healing potential. Common soft tissue injuries lead to chronic problems as a result of inappropriate scar tissue formation during the initial healing process. This chronic soft tissue adaptation is known as fibrosis. The ASTYM system allows the clinician to identify areas of fibrosis within the soft tissues which lead to pain, impaired mobility and impaired function.

How does it work?

The ASTYM system is designed to treat chronic tendinosis, dysfunctional scar tissue, and fibrosis. The system uses unique hand held instruments that allow the clinician to identify and treat these areas. Treatment stimulates the body’s healing response which results in resorption of the dysfunctional tissue, remodeling of scar tissue and regeneration within the degenerative tissues. The clinician designs an appropriate exercise/activity program that facilitates a proper healing response leading to an improvement in pain, mobility and function.

What diagnoses respond to ASTYM?

  1. Common tendonopathies including lateral and medial epicondylosis (tennis and golfer’s elbow), Rotator cuff tendinopathies, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, DeQuervain’s tenosynovitis, Patellar tendinosis, Achilles tendinosis.
  2. Post-surgical and Post-traumatic scarring.
  3. Plantar Fasciitis, Chronic ankle sprains and shin splints.
  4. Hamstring strains and Iliotibial band syndrome.

What can the patient expect?

Each patient receives a thorough musculoskeletal evaluation, including an assessment of the appropriate soft tissues with ASTYM instrumentation. The ASTYM certified clinician, when appropriate, will treat the identified tissues on the first visit. Specific stretching and strengthening exercises are prescribed to facilitate the healing process. Functional exercises are progressed throughout the rehabilitation process to facilitate full return to work, athletic and recreation activities. Typically, the patient will experience an increase in soreness, inflammation and mild bruising within 1-2 days of treatment. A treatment plan of 2 x week is common with required participation in a daily home program. ASTYM is an evidence based intervention that demonstrates success where other treatment approaches have failed.

www.astym.com