Effects of the Ergon^® instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization technique (IASTM), foam rolling, and static stretching application to different parts of the myofascial lateral line on hip joint flexibility

Abstract

This study was aimed to compare the effects of three soft tissue treatments in different parts of the myofascial lateral line (LL) on the hip adduction range of motion (ROM). [Participants and Methods] Thirty university students received Ergon ® instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) treatment, foam rolling, and static stretching on the upper or lower part of the LL on the side of their non-dominant lower limb, while the other body side served as control. The participants received one treatment per week for six weeks with a simultaneous pre-and post-therapy assessment of their hip adduction ROM. [Results] The hip adduction ROM was improved on the intervention side in all experimental groups. The gains were more significant in groups that received the Ergon treatment. All Ergon interventions, as well as foam rolling on the upper part of the LL, led to the greatest hip adduction ROM improvement compared to the control side. No differences were observed between the Ergon groups. [Conclusion] The findings suggest that the implementation of Ergon IASTM, foam rolling, and stretching can produce positive effects on the hip ROM. The Ergon Technique is more effective compared to foam rolling and stretching, irrespective of the application site.

The effectiveness of Ergon Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization, foam rolling, and athletic elastic taping in improving volleyball players’ shoulder range of motion and throwing performance: a pilot study on elite athletes

“…The superiority of Ergon IASTM to foam rolling can further be explained by the fact that techniques using narrow-surface equipment are more targeted and can penetrate deeper, thus better mobilizing soft tissue than wider-surface equipment. These positive short-term ROM adaptations after IASTM, and particularly the superiority of such techniques to foam rolling, have also been reported by Simatou et al 7 ) , who found that Ergon IASTM of the lateral myofascial line is more effective in increasing hip adduction ROM than foam rolling and stretching.…”

“…However, despite the extensive use of these techniques by sports therapists, their effectiveness has not yet been clarified due to conflicting research findings. Some studies have reported that IASTM and foam rolling can increase range of motion (ROM) and improve athletes’functionality 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 ) and that athletic elastic taping can support the shoulder joint, thereby increasing its functional efficiency 11 ) . Other studies, however, do not support these findings 12 , 13 ) .…”

Treatment of scalene muscles with the Ergon technique can lead to greater improvement in hip abduction range of motion than local hip adductor treatment: a study on deep front line connectivity

“…In particular, the significant short-term improvement in joint ROM observed in this study supports the conclusions of two systematic reviews 5,6) showing that IASTM can improve patient functionality and significantly increase joint ROM immediately after application. Another recent study found that this improvement can be maintained even for a week 4) .…”

“…Given the functional importance of the myofascial lines, we previously conducted two randomized control studies to evaluate the effect of the Ergon ® instrument-assisted softtissue mobilization (IASTM) technique (Ergon ® IASTM Technique, Athens, Greece) in distant and local points of the SBL and LL to evaluate and compare the effects of remote treatment on myofascial elasticity 3,4) .These studies showed that Ergon IASTM treatment of either the upper or the lower part of the SBL and the LL may lead to a significant increase in hamstring and hip adductor flexibility, respectively. Both studies 3,4) also demonstated that applying IASTM techniques to distant points of the myofascial lines led to the same improvement in the elasticity of some areas as that achieved by local treatments.…”

Combining Targeted IASTM Applications and Neuromuscular Exercises can Correct forward Head Posture and Improve Functionality of Patients with Mechanical Neck Pain: A Randomized Control Study

“…Participants in Group A received soft tissue techniques in the form of the ERGON IASTM technique [15] in targeted cervical and thoracic spine areas with the aim of the myofascial release of shortened structures. Participants in Group B, for the same purpose, received a classical massage in the same area.…”