The Benefits of ASTYM for Athletic Injuries

By Meghan Mueller PT, DPT; Accelerated Rehab

As more and more athletes participate in longer seasons, more competitions, and increased physical demands of their sports, the rate of athletic injury has also increased. One effective program utilized by physical therapists for the treatment of chronic injuries is ASTYM (A’-stim). The ASTYM system is used to help stimulate the body’s healing response in soft tissue areas (tendons, muscles, etc) which have become dysfunctional due to injury. ASTYM treatments are effective in treating scar tissue and fibrosis issues as well as many tendon disorders. The Physical Therapist uses instruments applied to your injured area to identify and locate injured soft tissue. The ASTYM instruments are then used to help break up the injured tissue and stimulate the healing process, including the realignment of appropriate tissue. This effective therapy, typically provided twice weekly for three to four weeks, also incorporates a customized program of stretching and exercises, which helps to align all of the new tissue in response to the physical challenges placed on them. As an athlete, ASTYM treatments are extremely beneficial due to the need to continue to participate in activity, be it practices, training, or sport participation. ASTYM has been shown to aid those who have unresolved musculoskeletal injuries that have not improved with traditional treatments and for those who are struggling with chronic pain and decreased functional ability.

The ASTYM system optimizes the patients' ability to regain function and return to a normal, active lifestyle. The system offers many benefits:

• Resolves tough, chronic conditions, even where other treatments have failed
• Rapidly resolves pain and increases functional ability (in just 4- 5 weeks)
• Delivers long-term results
• Encourages patients to stay active in their work, sport or activity
• Evidence-based process that is supported by extensive research

Diagnoses that respond well to the ASTYM treatment and are supported by outcomes studies:

• Post-surgical scarring
• Post-traumatic scarring
• Lateral epicondylosis
• Medial epicondylosis
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• DeQuervain’s tenosynovitis

• Rotator cuff tendinopathy
• Plantar fasciopathy
• Chronic ankle sprains
• Achilles tendinopathy
• Shin splints
• Anterior knee pain

• Patellar tendinopathy
• Hamstring strains
• IT band syndrome
• Hip pain/trochanteric bursitis
• SI/low back pain
• Most chronic tendinopathies


Clinical outcomes from across the country indicate that 88% of all patients treated with the ASTYM system achieve improved function and decreased pain; even if the condition is chronic and previous treatments has been unsuccessful.

About Accelerated Rehabilitation Centers
Accelerated Rehabilitation Centers embrace a PATIENT FIRST philosophy which focuses on patient outcomes, commitment to manual therapy and upholding our reputation in the community as a leader in providing treatments that include a comprehensive manual and functional exercise component. Part of this commitment includes providing advanced training to our clinicians.

Accelerated has over 40 certified ASTYM providers in Iowa and over 135 company-wide. The ASTYM certification includes three days of intensive training, whereby the practitioner learns advanced concepts related to tissue healing and protocols for treating the spine and extremities. Upon completion of the certification course and exams, the practitioner has the tools to develop efficient, effective and safe manual/manipulative physical and occupational therapy management using the ASTYM® system.

What this means for you is that you can continue to feel confident in the treatments you are receiving at Accelerated and that their care will continue to have a very involved, hands on, manual component. It also provides an avenue for difficult injuries-our specialists can be an excellent resource for you to utilize.

If you have any questions regarding ASTYM or any other physical therapy related questions, please feel free to contact Meghan Mueller at 515-986-5190. Our office is located 1451 SE 3rd Street in Grimes.