Athletes are constantly asking their bodies to move, accelerate, decelerate, jump, lift, rotate, and perform at high levels. When pain, stiffness, or limited mobility begins to interfere with movement, physical therapy can use a variety of tools to help an athlete continue progressing.
One technique commonly used in sports physical therapy is instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization, or IASTM.
IASTM uses specialized instruments to apply controlled pressure and movement to soft tissues. Physical therapists may use it alongside mobility work, strengthening, movement training, and sport-specific rehabilitation.
Research suggests that IASTM may help improve range of motion and reduce pain in certain populations. However, it should not be viewed as a standalone performance treatment. Instead, it can be one part of a comprehensive rehabilitation or performance program.
What Is IASTM?
Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization is a manual therapy technique that uses specialized tools to treat areas of the body that may feel stiff, restricted, or painful.
During treatment, a physical therapist moves the instrument over the skin and underlying tissues using different pressures and techniques.
IASTM is often used on areas such as:
- Hamstrings
- Quadriceps
- Calves
- Hip muscles
- Shoulders
- Back
- Forearms
- Achilles region
- Plantar foot
The goal is not simply to "break up" tissue. The biological and neurological mechanisms behind IASTM are still being investigated, and research does not support reducing its effects to one simple explanation.
Instead, clinicians may use IASTM to help address pain, mobility restrictions, and movement limitations so an athlete can better participate in active rehabilitation.
Why Would an Athlete Need Soft Tissue Treatment?
Athletes place repeated demands on their muscles and joints.
Training can create temporary soreness and stiffness, while injuries can lead to pain, changes in movement, and limitations in range of motion.
For example, an athlete may notice:
- Tightness before or after training
- Limited shoulder mobility
- Reduced hip mobility
- Calf or hamstring discomfort
- Pain with certain movements
- Stiffness following an injury
- Difficulty achieving a position required by their sport
These issues do not automatically mean that an athlete needs IASTM. A physical therapist first needs to determine why the limitation exists.
IASTM may then be used as one tool to help address the specific problem.
Can IASTM Improve Athletic Performance?
This is where it is important to separate mobility improvements from direct performance improvements.
Research supports IASTM for improving certain measures of range of motion, particularly in healthy or athletic populations. A systematic review involving athletes and uninjured participants found improvements in several measures of ROM following IASTM.
Research on broader myofascial release techniques has also found moderate improvements in athletes' range of motion.
However, there is not enough evidence to say that IASTM directly makes an athlete faster, stronger, or more powerful.
That distinction matters.
Improving mobility may help an athlete move better, but better mobility does not automatically equal better athletic performance.
The goal is to use soft tissue treatment when it addresses a meaningful limitation and then reinforce that change through active movement and training.
IASTM and Range of Motion
Range of motion can be important for athletes because different sports require different movement demands.
For example:
- Baseball pitchers need adequate shoulder mobility.
- Soccer players need hip and ankle mobility.
- Runners rely on coordinated movement through the hips, knees, and ankles.
- Swimmers require substantial shoulder mobility.
- Golfers need the ability to rotate through the hips and trunk.
- Weightlifters need adequate mobility to reach and maintain lifting positions.
A 2019 systematic review found support for IASTM improving ROM in uninjured individuals, with particularly promising findings in several shoulder mobility measures among athletes.
A 2026 systematic review specifically examining IASTM versus passive stretching in throwing athletes also highlights the growing interest in using IASTM for shoulder mobility in sports that place high demands on the upper extremity.
Can IASTM Help With Athletic Pain?
IASTM may also be used when pain is limiting an athlete's ability to move or participate in rehabilitation.
A recent 2026 systematic review and meta-analysis of 20 randomized controlled trials involving 1,420 adults with musculoskeletal disorders found that IASTM was associated with reductions in pain and improvements in range of motion. The researchers also found that outcomes were more consistent when IASTM was combined with conventional rehabilitation rather than used by itself.
Earlier research has also found support for IASTM improving pain and patient-reported function in certain injured populations.
However, the evidence is not completely consistent.
A 2022 updated systematic review that included 46 randomized controlled trials found very low-quality evidence that IASTM produced clinically meaningful improvements in pain and function compared with other active treatments.
This is why IASTM should be individualized rather than treated as a universal solution for athletic pain.
When Might an Athlete Benefit From IASTM?
IASTM may be considered when an athlete has a specific mobility or pain-related limitation that could interfere with rehabilitation or training.
A physical therapist may use it as part of treatment for:
Mobility restrictions
IASTM may temporarily improve movement in a restricted area, allowing the athlete to work through a more appropriate range of motion.
Musculoskeletal pain
Soft tissue treatment may help decrease symptoms that are limiting movement or exercise participation.
Injury rehabilitation
IASTM may be incorporated into rehabilitation when an athlete is recovering from a musculoskeletal injury and needs to gradually restore mobility and function.
Pre-training mobility
In some cases, a clinician may use IASTM before exercise when a temporary mobility improvement is useful for the upcoming activity.
Return-to-sport rehabilitation
As an athlete progresses toward sport, IASTM may be used alongside strengthening, balance, plyometrics, running, agility, or sport-specific drills.
IASTM Should Not Replace Strength Training
One of the biggest misconceptions about soft tissue treatment is that it can replace exercise.
It cannot.
An athlete's long-term performance depends on much more than how their muscles feel during a treatment session.
A comprehensive sports physical therapy program may include:
- Strength training
- Mobility exercises
- Neuromuscular training
- Balance and stability
- Plyometrics
- Running progression
- Agility training
- Sport-specific exercises
- Movement analysis
- Load management
- Recovery strategies
IASTM can be used to help an athlete participate in these activities more effectively when appropriate.
The treatment itself is not the end goal.
The goal is better movement, better function, and ultimately a successful return to the activities that matter to the athlete.
What Does an IASTM Session Look Like?
An IASTM session should begin with an assessment.
Your physical therapist may evaluate:
- Pain
- Range of motion
- Strength
- Movement patterns
- Joint mobility
- Sport-specific demands
- Training history
- Injury history
If IASTM is appropriate, the therapist may apply the instrument to a targeted area for a specific period of time.
The athlete may then immediately perform an active movement or exercise.
For example:
IASTM → mobility exercise → strengthening → sport-specific movement
This approach allows the therapist to determine whether the treatment actually changed something meaningful.
If an athlete has limited ankle mobility, for example, the therapist may use IASTM and then reassess the ankle before progressing into mobility drills, squats, jumping, running, or other exercises.
Does IASTM Hurt?
IASTM can create pressure or a scraping sensation, but treatment should not automatically be painful.
More pressure does not necessarily mean better results.
Your physical therapist should adjust the treatment based on your symptoms, the area being treated, your injury, and the goal of the session.
Significant bruising or excessive soreness should not be viewed as proof that the treatment "worked."
The appropriate amount of treatment depends on the individual athlete.
IASTM for Different Types of Athletes
IASTM is not limited to one sport.
It may be incorporated into rehabilitation or performance programs for:
Runners
Treatment may be considered when pain or mobility restrictions affect running mechanics or exercise progression.
Baseball and Softball Players
Shoulder and upper-extremity mobility can be particularly important for throwing athletes. IASTM has been studied in collegiate baseball players and other overhead athletes, with research demonstrating short-term improvements in certain shoulder ROM measures.
Soccer Players
Hip, ankle, and lower-extremity mobility are important for sprinting, cutting, kicking, and changing direction.
Golfers
Hip and trunk mobility can contribute to the ability to rotate effectively throughout the golf swing.
Weightlifters
Mobility limitations may interfere with positions required for squatting, pressing, pulling, and Olympic-style lifting.
Tennis Players
Shoulder, forearm, hip, and lower-extremity mobility may all contribute to efficient movement on the court.
IASTM Before or After Exercise?
There is no single rule that says IASTM should always be performed before or after exercise.
The timing should depend on the purpose.
Before exercise:
IASTM may be used when a temporary improvement in mobility could help an athlete perform a movement or exercise.
During rehabilitation:
It may be paired with mobility drills and therapeutic exercise to address a specific limitation.
After exercise:
It may be incorporated into a broader recovery or symptom-management strategy when appropriate.
The important question is not simply, "When should I get IASTM?"
It is:
"What is the goal of using IASTM in my rehabilitation or training program?"
Is IASTM the Same as a Massage?
No.
Both involve soft tissue techniques, but IASTM uses specialized instruments and is typically performed as part of a broader physical therapy assessment and treatment plan.
A physical therapist can use IASTM based on an individual's:
- Injury
- Movement limitations
- Sport
- Training demands
- Symptoms
- Rehabilitation goals
IASTM can also be combined with other physical therapy techniques.
What Does the Research Actually Say?
The research surrounding IASTM is promising but mixed.
A 2019 systematic review found support for improvements in ROM in uninjured individuals and pain and patient-reported function in select injured populations.
A 2022 review of 46 randomized controlled trials found that the evidence for clinically meaningful improvements in pain and function was very low quality, highlighting the variability between studies and treatment protocols.
More recently, a 2026 meta-analysis involving 20 randomized controlled trials and 1,420 participants reported significant improvements in pain and ROM, with more consistent pain outcomes when IASTM was combined with conventional rehabilitation.
For athletes specifically, research supports the potential for short-term mobility improvements, but there is not currently enough evidence to claim that IASTM directly improves sport performance such as sprint speed, throwing velocity, or jumping ability.
That means IASTM is best viewed as a supportive treatment within a larger performance and rehabilitation program.
The Bottom Line
IASTM can be a useful tool for athletes when pain, stiffness, or limited mobility is interfering with movement or rehabilitation.
Research suggests it may help improve range of motion and reduce pain in certain populations. However, the evidence does not support using IASTM as a standalone method for improving athletic performance.
The biggest value may come from combining soft tissue treatment with what actually drives long-term performance:
Strength. Mobility. Movement quality. Progressive training. Sport-specific preparation.
At Core Performance Physical Therapy, IASTM can be incorporated into an individualized physical therapy program when it is appropriate for the athlete's goals and needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should athletes get IASTM?
There is no universal schedule. Frequency depends on the athlete's symptoms, training schedule, injury, and rehabilitation goals.
Can IASTM make me faster?
There is not enough evidence to say that IASTM directly increases sprint speed. It may improve mobility or reduce pain that is interfering with training, but speed development still requires appropriate strength, power, sprint, and sport-specific training.
Can IASTM improve flexibility?
IASTM can produce short-term improvements in certain measures of range of motion, particularly in some athletic populations.
Should IASTM hurt?
IASTM can create pressure or discomfort, but severe pain is not required for the treatment to be effective.
Can IASTM replace stretching?
Not necessarily. IASTM and stretching serve different purposes and may be combined depending on the athlete's needs.
Is IASTM only for injured athletes?
No. IASTM has been studied in both injured and uninjured populations, including athletes. However, whether it is appropriate depends on the individual's goals and assessment findings.
Is IASTM a replacement for exercise?
No. Exercise and progressive loading remain important components of athletic rehabilitation and performance development.
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