Investigation of The Effect of "Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization" in Individuals With Lumbar Disc Herniation

Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization is an instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization technique. It consists of stainless steel instrument designed to adapt to various tissues/shapes/curves of the body. The instruments were developed as an alternative to transverse friction massage. Stainless steel acts a bit like a diaposon when it comes into contact with fibrotic tissue. A resonance or reverberation in the instrument is created upon contact and transmitted through the instrument to the hands of the clinician. The application of heavy pressure (compared to light or medium pressure) using instruments has been proven to promote a greater fibroblastic response. Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization is not used without insulation. It is imperative to use movement and strengthening in combination with soft tissue mobilization to promote tissue adaptation and remodeling. Mechanical loading has been shown to affect chondrocyte alignment and fibroblast activity with increased proteoglycan and collagen synthesis. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the IASTM technique on individuals of different ages diagnosed with LDH.