ASTYM

Kingsley Physical Therapy is the first clinic in Northern Michigan to offer ASTYM. This advanced treatment technique is a form of augmented soft tissue mobilization where specialized tools are utilized to both evaluate and treat soft tissue injuries. The tools are skillfully guided along the normal grain of the patient’s muscle monitoring for fibrotic patterns (poorly remodeled scar tissue). Normal tissue will be smooth while any fibrotic tissue that is encountered will feel rough. Many people develop fibrotic tissue from injuries, surgery, and repeated or “overuse” activities. Interestingly, both the patient and therapist can feel these fibrotic patterns and monitor how they change with treatment. Once encountered this fibrotic tissue is treated with several passes from the instruments. The effects are typically rapid and impressive. Not only does ASTYM free up scar tissue, it can actually reinitiate healing in tendons that had stalled in the healing process. It stimulates the body to heal both faster and stronger. ​
Treatment of Lateral Epicondylitis
("tennis elbow")
Treatment of Plantar Fasciitis
The treatment is non-invasive and is tolerated very well by patients. Occasionally, minor bruising is experienced the day after treatment, which is visible evidence that the body is addressing the problem areas. You see, ASTYM creates microtrauma to fibrotic tissue that is not part of the normal grain of the muscle and tendon. This microtrauma is similar to what is experienced with weight- lifting and can create mild soreness the day after. Interestingly, it is this same microtrauma that allows ASTYM to enhance the healing process. Fibrotic tissue is selectively removed and new tissues are laid down through the body’s normal healing process. Each patient is taught a custom-designed stretching and exercise program to help ensure that newly rebuilt tissue remodels correctly along the grain of the repairing tissue. Patients are typically seen for 7-11 visits, and many patients are excited to find they experience a significant change in their symptoms within the first four visits. ​
ASTYM is specifically designed to help patients who are experiencing pain, loss of motion and/or loss of function following surgery, injury, or cumulative trauma disorders. ASTYM can significantly hasten the recovery process for patients with the following conditions:
  • Post-injury scar tissue
  • Post-surgical scar tissue
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow)
  • Medial epicondylitis (golfer's elbow)
  • DeQuervain's tenosynovitis
  • Wrist sprains
  • Shoulder pain
  • Plantar fasciitis and heel pain
  • Chronic ankle sprains
  • Achilles tendonitis
  • Shin splints
  • Anterior knee pain
  • Patellar tendonitis
  • Hamstring strains
  • IT band syndrome
  • Hip pain/trochanteric bursitis
  • SI and low back pain
  • Most forms of chronic tendinopathies
For more information about ASTYM, visit their website at www.ASTYM.com.
Treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Treatment of Achilles Tendonitis