IASTM in Sports Massage: What It Is and When It Helps
Written by Charlotte - owner of RFLX Sports Massage in Bishops Cleeve. I’m a qualified sports massage therapist with a background in movement and chronic pain, offering supportive, tailored care to help people feel and move better
What Is IASTM (And Is It Actually Worth It?)
If you’ve ever come in for a sports massage and spotted one of those metal tools sitting nearby, you might have wondered what it actually does, and whether it’s something you should be having as part of your treatment.
IASTM, or Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilisation, is one of those techniques that’s become more and more common in clinics over the last few years. You’ll often see it on social media paired with phrases like ‘breaking down knots’ or ‘scraping out tension’, which can make it seem a bit more intense (and a bit more mysterious) than it really is.
In reality, it’s a lot simpler, and a lot more useful, than the hype might suggest.
So, what actually is IASTM?
IASTM is essentially a way of using specially designed tools, usually made from stainless steel (and that’s what we use in our Bishops Cleeve sports massage clinic), to work on muscles and other soft tissues.
Instead of just using hands, thumbs or elbows, your therapist uses the tool to glide over the skin and apply pressure to certain areas. This allows us to pick up on changes in the tissue and work a bit more specifically where it’s needed. IASTM is becoming a more and more common addition to sports massage treatments, not because it’s trendy, but because it can be genuinely helpful when used in the right way.
Why use a tool instead of hands?
That’s usually the first question people ask, and it’s a fair one.
From your perspective as a client, it might not seem like there’s much difference. But from a treatment point of view, tools can sometimes give us a bit more precision when working through certain areas. They can also help us pick up on subtle changes in the tissue, areas that feel slightly more sensitive or restricted for example, which might not be quite as obvious using hands alone. IASTM tools also work on a more surface level with your tissues to help encourage circulation - very often within the clinic we would utilise IASTM techniques on particularly tight areas before going in with a deep tissue approach.
What’s it actually doing to your muscles?
This is where things can get a little bit misunderstood.
You’ll often hear IASTM described as breaking down scar tissue or physically removing knots. While that sounds satisfying, it’s not quite what’s happening.
Rather than “breaking” anything, IASTM is better thought of as a way of stimulating the area and encouraging the body to respond.
It can help to:
Increase local blood flow
Reduce sensitivity in tight or uncomfortable areas
Improve how the tissue tolerates movement and load
In some cases, it can also lead to short-term improvements in mobility, which is why it’s often used alongside movement or exercise.
So think of it like this: rather than forcing change, it’s more about encouraging your body to adapt and feel more comfortable moving again.
Does it actually work?
The honest answer, and the one we stick to at RFLX, is that it can be helpful, but it’s not a magic fix. Some people respond really well to it and notice an immediate improvement in how things feel and move. Others might not feel a huge difference compared to more traditional hands-on techniques.
And that’s completely normal.
The key thing to understand is that IASTM isn’t meant to replace everything else, it’s simply one tool within a wider treatment approach.
In clinic, it’s usually combined with:
Hands-on massage
Movement and mobility work
Advice around training and load
Because ultimately, long-term improvement doesn’t come from one technique alone, it comes from the right combination of treatment, movement and consistency.
Does it hurt?
This is probably the biggest concern, especially if you’ve seen some of the more aggressive videos online.
The short answer is: it shouldn’t be any more uncomfortable than any other treatment approach we utilise within the clinic
You might feel a bit of discomfort, and the sensation is slightly different to hands-on massage, a bit more of a “scraping” or dragging feeling, but it should always be within your comfort levels. I’ve also had clients who have said how much they’ve enjoyed the feel of IASTM and asked me to keep going with it. As with anything - it’s quite individual
At RFLX Sports Massage in Bishops Cleeve, everything is adjusted to you. Some people prefer lighter work, others like a bit more pressure, and both are completely fine.
You might notice a bit of redness afterwards, which is a normal response and usually settles quickly.
Where does it fit into your treatment?
If you come in for a sports massage in Bishops Cleeve or the wider Cheltenham area, IASTM might be used as part of your session as an optional treatment enhancement,
but only if it’s appropriate for you.
For example, it can be useful if:
You’ve got a particularly stubborn area of tightness
Something feels sensitive when you load it in the gym
You’re returning to training after a flare-up
It’s often used to help “settle things down” and make movement feel easier, so that we can then build back up with strength and activity. At the end of the day, the goal isn’t just to feel better on the massage table, it’s to feel better when you’re back in the gym, at work, or going about your day.
The bottom line
IASTM isn’t about fixing you in one session or aggressively working through pain.
It’s simply another way of applying the right kind of input to your body to help it:
Move more freely
Feel less sensitive
Tolerate load more comfortably
Sometimes that’s done with hands, sometimes with tools, and often, a combination of both works best. If you’ve seen it used and wondered whether it’s something you should try, feel free to ask about it at your next appointment.
At RFLX Sports Massage in Bishops Cleeve, everything we do is tailored to you: your body, your goals, and what’s going to help you feel and move better long-term. Book your first appointment at RFLX Sports Massage in Bishops Cleeve, Cheltenham here