Graston / IASTM
Instrument-assisted soft-tissue mobilization for chronic restrictions, scar tissue, and stuck fascia.
IASTM (instrument-assisted soft-tissue mobilization), often known by the brand name Graston, uses precision tools to address chronic tissue restrictions that hands alone can't reach as cleanly. It's not aggressive — done well, it's surgical in its specificity.
Most IASTM bookings are for chronic conditions: post-surgical scar tissue (with PT clearance), recurring tendinopathies, fascia restrictions in the legs or back that haven't resolved through stretching or general massage.
IASTM is most effective when paired with progressive loading. We don't apply it in isolation — sessions integrate the instrument work with movement and tissue work so the results compound. Without the loading piece, results regress quickly.
Sessions typically run 30–45 minutes of IASTM combined with movement work and tissue prep. We'll build the right combination after the assessment. Some clients run a 4–8 week IASTM block on a specific issue, then taper to maintenance.
The process.
Assess
Identify the specific restriction — chronic, post-surgical, or training-related fascia binding.
Treat
Targeted instrument work along the restriction; precise, not aggressive.
Load
Pair with progressive movement so the new tissue glide is reinforced — not lost.
01How is IASTM different from regular massage?
IASTM uses precision instruments to reach restrictions deeper or more targeted than hands alone. It's specific — applied to a known issue, not generally across a body region.
02Is it painful?
It's intense in spots — the instrument work concentrates pressure on a specific restriction. It shouldn't be aggressive. If it's painful in a way that doesn't feel productive, we adjust.
03Can IASTM help post-surgery?
Yes — with clearance from your surgeon or PT. We pair it with progressive loading to support tissue remodeling. We don't claim to treat conditions — we work to help improve tissue glide and movement quality.
Often paired with this.
- Service
Sports Massage
Performance-focused bodywork for athletes, post-injury clients, and bodies that work for a living.
- Service
Cupping
Decompression therapy for stuck tissue, lymph flow, and circulation — applied with assessment and intent.
- Service
Mobility Training
Joint capsule, soft-tissue, and end-range strength sequenced into a programmed mobility block.
From LA to Ventura.
Studio-based 1:1 work with graston / iastm for clients across the LA → Ventura corridor.