I Love Neuro - 68: Using IASTM for Spasticity to Improve ROM, Pain, and Function

68: Using IASTM for Spasticity to Improve ROM, Pain, and Function

08/02/21 • 40 min

On today’s show I’m going to share takeaways from a recent NeuroSpark webinar on the use of Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) with the neuro population presented by Jennifer Lazaro. This was a fantastic webinar for our members and I want to share the highlights with you.

I’ll discuss the mechanisms, indications, contraindications, research in neuro, results, techniques and dosage recommendations as well as my own personal experience using this modality.

Here are the research articles mentioned:

Lee, JJ, et al “Inhibitory effects of instrumented assisted neuromobilization on hyperactive gastrocnemius in a hemiparetic stroke patient” Biomed Mater Eng. 2014;24(6):2389-94.
Deshpande, S and Chitra J “Effectiveness of instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization using m2t blade on upper limb spasticity and function in post stroke patients: a pre-post experimental study.” IJMSIR 2018.
Miller MM, Ray JM, Van Zant RS “The effects of Astym Therapy on a child with spastic diplegia cerebral palsy” Clinical Medicine Insights: Case Reports 2017.

Here is my favorite low cost tool, a jade gua sha from Amazon

I’ll discuss the mechanisms, indications, contraindications, research in neuro, results, techniques and dosage recommendations as well as my own personal experience using this modality.

Here are the research articles mentioned:

Lee, JJ, et al “Inhibitory effects of instrumented assisted neuromobilization on hyperactive gastrocnemius in a hemiparetic stroke patient” Biomed Mater Eng. 2014;24(6):2389-94.
Deshpande, S and Chitra J “Effectiveness of instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization using m2t blade on upper limb spasticity and function in post stroke patients: a pre-post experimental study.” IJMSIR 2018.
Miller MM, Ray JM, Van Zant RS “The effects of Astym Therapy on a child with spastic diplegia cerebral palsy” Clinical Medicine Insights: Case Reports 2017.

Here is my favorite low cost tool, a jade gua sha from Amazon

Previous Episode

67: Interested in Implementing Slip/Trip Training to Help Clients and Patients Prevent Falls?

On today’s show Claire and JJ talk about JJ’s experience with slip and trip training. Rogue recently received a community grant from the Parkinson’s Foundation. One of the programs they will be starting is slip/trip training. Claire learned about the training and research JJ has done during a NeuroSpark call last year and had a lot of questions for JJ and how to get started. JJ gave Claire SO many great ideas for how to get started, and how to tweak the plan to make this training optimal for Rogue’s members, and you're going to love listening in too!

Here are some Reactive Balance References with key authors and a variety of diagnoses:

■Pai Y-C, Bhatt T, Wang E, Espy D, Pavol MJ. Inoculation against falls: rapid adaptation by young and older adults to slips during daily activities. Archives Of Physical Medicine And Rehabilitation. 2010;91(3):452-459.

■Curuk E, Lee Y, Aruin AS. Individuals with stroke improve anticipatory postural adjustments after a single session of targeted exercises. Human Movement Science. 2020 Feb 1;69:102559.

■de Kam D, Roelofs JM, Bruijnes AK, Geurts AC, Weerdesteyn V. The next step in understanding impaired reactive balance control in people with stroke: the role of defective early automatic postural responses. Neurorehabilitation and neural repair. 2017 Aug;31(8):708-16.

■Gerards MH, McCrum C, Mansfield A, Meijer K. Perturbation‐based balance training for falls reduction among older adults: Current evidence and implications for clinical practice. Geriatrics & gerontology international. 2017 Dec;17(12):2294-303.

■Mansfield A, Wong JS, Bryce J, Knorr S, Patterson KK. Does perturbation-based balance training prevent falls? Systematic review and meta-analysis of preliminary randomized controlled trials. Physical Therapy. 2015;95(5):700-709.

■McCrum C, Gerards MH, Karamanidis K, Zijlstra W, Meijer K. A systematic review of gait perturbation paradigms for improving reactive stepping responses and falls risk among healthy older adults. European review of aging and physical activity. 2017 Dec;14(1):3.

■Okubo Y, Brodie MA, Sturnieks DL, et al. Exposure to trips and slips with increasing unpredictability while walking can improve balance recovery responses with minimum predictive gait alterations. Plos One. 2018;13(9):e0202913.

Next Episode

69: What to Consider (and What to Avoid) When Teaching Exercise Classes to Individuals with More Cognitive and/or Physical Challenges

What’s the best way to organize your classes so everyone gets the right level of challenge? We know that intensity matters but so does safety and a feeling of success. For individuals with Parkinson’s over time their presentations can vary which can make it more challenging to design group classes for all levels of abilities.

Must create a system or rules for who is appropriate for which type of class - cognitive vs physical challenges, safety. We share our top tips for successful classes working with individuals with more physical and cognitive challenges, what to consider, and what to avoid.

Consider having:

Smaller groups (4-8 people)
Don’t create stations that require a lot of transitioning in between - keep things in one main area
Have help if able - caregivers, volunteers, students, etc
Allow clients to collaborate together to create fun and community in class
Use props to make activities bigger, allow more external focus, and make it more obvious for what is needed from participants

Email Claire if you are interested in learning and talking more about slip and trip training at [email protected]

Anti-racist action: Working with our coach helps us to talk through and process things. We see how much we have to live in the gray areas because not everything is good or bad. Sometimes we can still support our morals and ethics without boycotting everything or going to the extremes.