The current role of Astym therapy in the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders

ABSTRACT

Background: In general, chronic problems of soft tissues (muscles, tendons, ligaments) are due to scarring or degeneration. Astym therapy (Performance Dynamics, Inc. Muncie, Indiana) has been reported to address tendinopathy by stimulating regeneration in soft tissues (muscles, tendons, ligaments) and the resorption of unwanted scar tissue that causes pain and limits mobility.

Purpose: To analyze the effectiveness of Astym therapy in the treatment of musculoskeletal problems

Methods: A narrative review of the literature on the topic was carried out. A Cochrane Library and PubMed (MEDLINE) search related to the role of Astym therapy was analyzed. The only language searched was English. Scientific meeting abstracts and other sources of evidence were not considered. The main criteria for selection were articles that were focused on the role of Astym therapy.

Results: Astym therapy seems to be useful for the treatment of chronic ankle sprains, Achilles tendon tendinopathy, hamstring tendinopathy, elbow tendinopathy, and the stiff total knee arthroplasty. Astym therapy also appears to be useful to gain range of motion, muscle strength, and function in patients with cerebral palsy, and after mastectomy.

Conclusions: Astym therapy seems to activate a regenerative response in degenerative tendinopathy and eliminate or reduce the scar tissue/fibrosis that causes pain and limitation of mobility. Based on the positive findings of the emerging published research further study is warranted to confirm the benefits of Astym therapy on a variety of musculoskeletal disorders.

KEYWORDS:

• Astym therapy
• musculoskeletal disorders
• scar tissue
• tendinopathy
• fibrosis

Acknowledgments

None reported.

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.