INTRODUCTION
When you are suffering from an injury, it is quite common to experience muscle related soreness. Over 90% of our referrals are motor vehicle accident (MVA) related. Our clients almost always suffer from muscle tension driven and/or worsened by the MVA they experienced.
Although it is absolutely critical to strengthen weak muscles and restore our clients’ function and independence, a roadblock along this path is often muscle pain. But how can we improve strength in the face of discomfort? Part of that answer is instrument assisted self-massage (IASM).
NICE. BUT WHAT IS IASM EXACTLY?
IASM is a bit of a fancy way of describing the use of tools (i.e., foam rolls, massage balls, massage bars) to help you loosen up tender and tight muscles. Much of the research suggests using these tools anywhere from 30 seconds to 120 seconds to squeeze out the most benefits.
If you are feeling super nerdy, please feel free to dig deeper by reading my article below for greater detail.
LINK: Benefits of Instrument Assisted Self-Massage
OTHER BENEFITS OF IASM
Although self-massage techniques loosen up sore and tight muscles, there are often other benefits that go unnoticed by many. Our clients are almost always in a constant state of pain. It plays on their minds, it affects their mood and how they interact with friends, family, and coworkers. Pain can psychologically pull clients underwater, like a ball and chain.
I have noticed over and over the appreciation clients exude when they learn that they can manage pain independently. It gives them control and agency over their own health. They can perform self-massage practically anywhere at anytime, and all they need is 30 seconds. This is powerful.
WHERE DO I FIND SELF-MASSAGE TOOLS?
Due to the benefits that IASM provides, McIsaac Health always have these products in stock for our clients. Please see the link below that will lead you to our store section for more detail:
LINK: McIsaac Health Store
HOW DO I PERFORM IASM SAFELY?
Great question. All of this talk about the benefits of IASM is meaningless if you don’t know how to perform it. McIsaac Health has an entire library of proprietary exercise videos (over 800) available to the public, and our clients, to solve this problem.
We have gone through great lengths to carefully develop IASM videos (95 videos) which address each major muscle group. We use foam rolls, massage balls, and massage bars to accommodate both our clients’ needs and limitations. Please visit our exercise library to see more:
LINK: Exercise Library
Most importantly, providing our exercise library and direct one-on-one coaching to our MVA clients creates a fertile environment for success, accountability, and pain management. Ultimately, we want to give you and our clients every opportunity to experience less pain, and more strength.
-Michael McIsaac