Hip & PelvisInstrument-Assisted Soft-Tissue Mobilization (IASTM)Technique-specific guide
PNA Clinical Application Guide
IASTM for Hamstring Region
What changes when Instrument-Assisted Soft-Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) meets the hip & pelvis? Start with the patient's movement, assess safely, and see what the re-test reveals.
3 specific variationsClinical re-test built in
Specific variations
How this technique is applied in the hip & pelvis
Each variation below is written so you can follow patient setup, contact, direction, dose and the re-test that decides whether the technique earned a place in the plan.
01
Hip & PelvisGluteal muscles
Gluteal muscles — IASTM
One question matters more than the name of this variation: will the patient notice a useful change in Re-test the region's original pain, range or functional task.? The careful re-test gets the final word.
The change we are looking for
Improve pain, movement tolerance or tissue-related function when this target is clinically relevant.
Primary target
Gluteal muscles
The movement that tells us
Re-test the region's original pain, range or functional task.
Patient focus
Improve pain, movement tolerance or tissue-related function when this target is clinically relevant.
Therapist verifies
Re-test the region's original pain, range or functional task.
Success signal
Keep the technique only if the re-test shows a meaningful improvement in re-test the region's original pain, range or functional task. without symptom worsening.
Full clinical application
1
Position the patient
Supine, prone or side-lying with pelvis stabilized.
2
Set the contact
Appropriate instrument edge over intact skin at Gluteal muscles with conservative pressure.
3
Apply the technique
Use light-to-moderate scanning/treatment strokes; bruising is not the goal.
4
Dose & re-test
Often 30–120 seconds per small area followed by active movement/loading. Re-test: Re-test the region's original pain, range or functional task.
02
Hip & PelvisHip flexors
Hip flexors — IASTM
One question matters more than the name of this variation: will the patient notice a useful change in Re-test the region's original pain, range or functional task.? The careful re-test gets the final word.
The change we are looking for
Improve pain, movement tolerance or tissue-related function when this target is clinically relevant.
Primary target
Hip flexors
The movement that tells us
Re-test the region's original pain, range or functional task.
Patient focus
Improve pain, movement tolerance or tissue-related function when this target is clinically relevant.
Therapist verifies
Re-test the region's original pain, range or functional task.
Success signal
Keep the technique only if the re-test shows a meaningful improvement in re-test the region's original pain, range or functional task. without symptom worsening.
Full clinical application
1
Position the patient
Supine, prone or side-lying with pelvis stabilized.
2
Set the contact
Appropriate instrument edge over intact skin at Hip flexors with conservative pressure.
3
Apply the technique
Use light-to-moderate scanning/treatment strokes; bruising is not the goal.
4
Dose & re-test
Often 30–120 seconds per small area followed by active movement/loading. Re-test: Re-test the region's original pain, range or functional task.
03
Hip & PelvisAdductors/piriformis region
Adductors/piriformis region — IASTM
One question matters more than the name of this variation: will the patient notice a useful change in Re-test the region's original pain, range or functional task.? The careful re-test gets the final word.
The change we are looking for
Improve pain, movement tolerance or tissue-related function when this target is clinically relevant.
Primary target
Adductors/piriformis region
The movement that tells us
Re-test the region's original pain, range or functional task.
Patient focus
Improve pain, movement tolerance or tissue-related function when this target is clinically relevant.
Therapist verifies
Re-test the region's original pain, range or functional task.
Success signal
Keep the technique only if the re-test shows a meaningful improvement in re-test the region's original pain, range or functional task. without symptom worsening.
Full clinical application
1
Position the patient
Supine, prone or side-lying with pelvis stabilized.
2
Set the contact
Appropriate instrument edge over intact skin at Adductors/piriformis region with conservative pressure.
3
Apply the technique
Use light-to-moderate scanning/treatment strokes; bruising is not the goal.
4
Dose & re-test
Often 30–120 seconds per small area followed by active movement/loading. Re-test: Re-test the region's original pain, range or functional task.
Safety / do not apply when…
Avoid acute tear, hematoma, DVT.
Clinical rule
A technically correct technique is not automatically a useful technique. Keep it only when the patient's pain, range or function improves in a clinically meaningful way, then transfer that gain into active movement, loading or self-management.
