What is ASTR? Understanding Advanced Soft Tissue Release

ASTR (Biopsychosocial) model, developed by Dr. Joseph Jacobs, Doctor of Physical Therapy, is a comprehensive treatment approach designed to address pain at its source. Utilizing patented medical tools and devices, ASTR gently releases superficial and deep fibrotic tissue, myofascial restrictions, visceral adhesions, and trigger points, while also reducing inflammation—a common contributor to chronic pain. The ASTR approach further integrates proper nutrition, inflammation management, laboratory testing, posture correction, body mechanics, ergonomics, behavior modification, stress management, and tailored exercises to provide a holistic solution for pain management.

What Are the Components of ASTR Treatment?

ASTR is a biopsychosocial treatment model based on Functional Medicine. It addresses the following elements:

1. Fibrotic Tissue
2. נקודות טריגר
3. התכווצות שרירים
4. Fascia System
5. דַלֶקֶת
6. תְזוּנָה
7. בדיקות מעבדה
8. Behavior Modification
9. יְצִיבָה
10. מכניקת גוף
11. ארגונומיה
12. הליכה
13. תרגילים
14. לחץ

How Is ASTR Different from Traditional Medical Approaches for Pain Relief?

Traditional medical approaches for treating soft tissue pain utilize heat/cold packs, electrical stimulation, ultrasound, massage, stretching, exercises, joint mobilization, and pain medication. Temporary relief can be achieved with these methods, but more often than not, the pain returns because these techniques only treat the symptoms and not the true source of the pain. As pain returns, patients are required to see their practitioner on a regular basis for treatment. This continuous treatment can be quite costly!

In contrast, ASTR provides virtually pain-free and long-term pain relief by addressing the source of patients’ pain by looking at the body holistically.

What Are the Benefits of ASTR Tools for Pain Management?

1. להקל על הכאב
2. הגדל את טווח התנועה של המפרק
3. הפחת התכווצות שרירים
4. להאיץ את תהליך הריפוי
5. Fibrotic tissue release
6. שחרור פאשיה שטחי ועמוק
7. שחרור קרביים

What Is Each ASTR Tool Used For?

1. A1 Fascia Tool: Used for superficial and aponeurotic fascia release (big size)
2. A2 Fascia Tool: Used for superficial and deep fascia release such as aponeurotic, epimysium, perimysium fascia (small size)
3. A3 Scar Tissue Tool: Used for scar tissue release (big size)
4. A4 Scar Tissue Tool: Used for scar tissue release (small size)
5. A5 Deep Fascia & Scar Tissue Tool: Used for very deep fascia such as perimysium, endomysium & visceral release and deep scar tissue release.
6. MagnaHeal: Used for speeding up the healing process and decrease inflammation.

What Is Inflammation and How Does ASTR Address It?

Inflammation is the first stage of healing. Any injured body part has to go through 3 stages in order to completely heal:

1. Inflammation stage: Swelling, redness, increase temperature, pain, decrease range of motion and decrease function.
2. Proliferation stage: The body builds scar tissue.
3. Maturation stage: The body breaks down scar tissue and clears the inflammation naturally. Healing completed.

In chronic non-healed conditions, the body is in constant inflammation. Constant chronic inflammation causes: pain, scar tissue, fascia restriction, trigger points, muscle spasm, decrease function and decrease range of motion. ASTR’s MagnaHeal tools & anti-inflammatory diet are used to decrease inflammation.

What Is Fibrotic Tissue (Scar Tissue) and Its Impact on Pain?

Scar tissue or fibrosis is hardening of the soft tissue in the body. Scar tissue occurs in the second stage of healing, the proliferation stage. It is a must part of healing; if our body does not build scar tissue, the injured wound area will never be closed. Scar tissue is part of our body survival mechanism.

Too much scar tissue places excessive pressure on surrounding muscles, blood vessels, nerves, bones, and organs. This can cause pain and/or limit a joint’s range of motion. With ASTR tools A3, A4 & A5, scar tissue can be painlessly and efficiently released, relieving pain and restoring range of motion.

What Is Fascia or Myofascial Restriction?

בדומה לאופן שבו החליפה של ספיידרמן מחבקת את גופו, פאשיה היא רקמת חיבור חזקה שעוטפת את גופנו מכף רגל ועד ראש. בדרך כלל, הפאשיה אלסטית ומסוגלת להימתח ולהתקצר בתגובה לתנועות הגוף.

Myofascial or fascia restriction occurs during the second stage of healing (proliferation stage). Accidents, traumas, surgeries, scar tissue, stress, poor posture, and poor body mechanics can decrease the fascia’s elasticity resulting in pain and a limited range of motion. ASTR tools A1, A2 & A5 provide an effective way of quickly releasing myofascial restrictions in a virtually pain-free manner.

What Is a Trigger Point and How Is It Treated with ASTR?

Trigger points are palpable knots in the muscle tissue. Their presence can cause pain and muscle shortening or muscle spasms. ASTR tool A5 is used to release deep scar tissue and trigger points easily.

What Is Joint Displacement and How Does ASTR Help?

All of the joints in our bodies have a normal alignment, describing how two adjacent bones are positioned and move in relation to one another. Joint displacement refers to any deviation in that normal alignment. Restriction in soft tissue can often cause a joint to become displaced. This can be extremely painful and can place a lot of stress on the joint and surrounding structures. With gentle maneuvers to release soft tissue restriction, ASTR indirectly facilitates the joint’s return to normal alignment, often within the same treatment session.