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.
We create and package step-by-step online programs and easy-to-use toolkits for on-the-go patients who are ready to treat themselves from the comfort of their homes. We also create and package high-quality programs and toolkits for providers who want to offer their patients fast, long-term pain relief.
ASTR: A Holistic Approach to Root Cause Treatment
- Fibrotic tissue
- Myofascial restriction
- Visceral adhesion
- Trigger points
- Muscle spasm
- Lab Tests
- Inflammation
- Ergonomics
- Behavior modification
- Stress management
- Exercises
- Nutrition
Doctors Recommend ASTR
What Does ASTR Treat?
- Jaw pain
- Headache
- Neck pain
- Back pain
- Shoulder pain
- Elbow pain
- Hand pain
- Knee pain
- Foot pain
- Muscle & joint pain
- Stroke
- Sciatica
- Migraines
- Occipital neuralgia
- Trigeminal neuralgia
- Tennis elbow
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Trigger finger
- Tendinitis & bursitis
- Scoliosis
- Arthritis
- Torticollis
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Iliotibial band syndrome
- Plantar fasciitis
- Morton's neuroma
- Sprain & strain
- Chronic fatigue
- Fibromyalgia
- Autoimmune diseases
- Neuropathy
- and many other conditions
ASTR treats the following conditions: Plantar fasciitis, sciatica, carpal tunnel syndrome, migraine, lower back pain, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, scoliosis, bursitis, tendonitis, herniated disc, tennis elbow, headache, knee pain, tension headache, occipital neuralgia, trigger finger, occipital neuropathy, frozen shoulder, achilles tendonitis, peroneal tendonitis, IT band syndrome, de Quervain’s tenosynovitis, Osgood-Schlatter disease, cubital tunnel syndrome, rotator cuff pain and many other conditions.
ASTR Exceptionally Different
Reviews collected from various websites
ASTR | IASTM/ Graston/ Gua Sha | |
Long-term results | X | |
Ergonomically designed | X | |
Pain-free treatment | X | |
Superficial scar tissue release | ||
Deep scar tissue release | X | |
Myofascial release | X | |
Trigger point release | X | |
Decrease inflammation | X | |
Exercise protocols | X | |
Treatment protocols | X | |
Biopsychosocial model | X |
ASTR is a biopsychosocial treatment model (Functional Medicine)
ASTR addresses the following elements:
- Scar Tissue
- Trigger Points
- Muscle Spasms
- Fascia system
- Inflammation
- Nutrition
- Laboratory Tests
- Behavior modification
- Posture
- Body Mechanics
- Ergonomics
- Gait
- Exercises
- Stress
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.
Inflammation is the first stage of healing. Any injured body part has to go through 3 stages in order to completely heal.
- Inflammation stage: swelling, redness, increase temperature, pain, decrease range of motion and decrease function.
- Proliferation stage: the body build scar tissue
- Maturation stage: the body break down scar tissue and clear the inflammation naturally. Healing completed.
In chronic non-healed condition 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.
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.
Similar to the way Spiderman’s suit hugs his body, fascia is strong, connective tissue that wraps our bodies from head to toe. Normally, fascia is elastic and able to stretch and shorten in response to the body’s movements.
Myofasical 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.
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 point easily.
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.