Immediate Effects of Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization on Hydration Content in Lumbar Myofascial Tissues: A Quasi-Experiment

Abstract

Background: Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) is thought to alter fluid dynamics in human soft tissue. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of IASTM on the thoracolumbar fascia (TLF) on the water content of the lumbar myofascial tissue. Methods: In total, 21 healthy volunteers were treated with IASTM. Before and after the procedure and 5 and 10 min later, lumbar bioimpedance was measured by bioimpedance analysis (BIA) and TLF stiffness was measured by indentometry. Tissue temperature was recorded at the measurement time points using an infrared thermometer. Results: Bioimpedance increased significantly from 58.3 to 60.4 Ω (p < 0.001) at 10-min follow-up after the treatment. Temperature increased significantly from 36.3 to 36.6 °C from 5 to 10 min after treatment (p = 0.029), while lumbar myofascial stiffness did not change significantly (p = 0.84). Conclusions: After the IASTM intervention, there was a significant increase in bioimpedance, which was likely due to a decrease in water content in myofascial lumbar tissue. Further studies in a randomized control trial design are needed to extrapolate the results in healthy subjects to a symptomatic population as well and to confirm the reliability of BIA in myofascial tissue.

Examination of Myofascial Stiffness and Elasticity in the Upper Trapezius Region in Patients with Unilateral Neck Pain: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…The key finding of this study is the documentation of increased stiffness of the upper trapezius muscle on the symptomatic side, confirmed by duro-and indentometry. This finding is relevant for future treatment methods, as increased stiffness carries a higher risk of causing hydration dysfunction [29], vasoconstriction, inflammation [30], and further stress injuries [31]. Furthermore, this knowledge can be used to better detect pathological tissue conditions, monitor the effects of therapy and training, and prevent sports injuries [20].…”

The effectiveness of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization on range of motion: a meta-analysis

“…Cheatham et al [ 15 ] conducted an online survey of 853 members of the National Athletic Trainers' Association and the American Physical Therapy Association and found that the majority of respondents believed that IASTM improved ROM. Brandl et al [ 38 ] reported that the bioimpedance of tissues increases after IASTM, suggesting that IASTM reduces the water content of tissues. Then, the tissue may gain more water through a delayed supercompensatory effect [ 39 ], thereby increasing the flexibility of the tissue.…”

Immediate Effects of Myofascial Release Treatment on Lumbar Microcirculation: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial

“…In MFR treatment, the myofascial tissue is treated with a mechanical shearing motion (combination of compression and stretching) with low force and slow speed [ 27 ]. This is thought to result in a lasting change in the morphology of the fascia and also its hydration [ 25 , 26 , 29 , 30 ], because fascial tissue response to balanced, sustained stretching is more likely than to intermittent, uneven loads [ 31 ]. In addition, the numerous free nerve endings that act as proprioceptors, nociceptors, or nerve structures that innervate blood vessels could trigger a range of neuromuscular and neurovascular reflexes [ 5 , 32 ].…”