Is ASTYM available in the UK/Europe?

[starpolisher]

mouk,
It is my understanding that you cannot totally get rid of scar tissue in the knee joint.  I have found a lot of pain relief but I still have limited ROM (although improved) and stiffness (though not as bad).  I had severe pain so the reduction in it is quite dramatic and I was told by my PT it can't be completely broken down.

Good quesstion for SportsDoc.....does this only apply to implants?  Assuming damage to implants is a big consideration! 

[SportsMD]

I am sorry for my delay in response.  My schedule can get hectic at times, and I do not regularly check in on blogs.  Healing a soft tissue injury can involve several aspects.  ASTYM does work to eliminate scar, fibrosis and dsyfunctional soft tissue by having it resorbed by the body;  ASTYM does not just break up the scar into smaller pieces as tooled friction massage attempts to do.  In addition, ASTYM can also regenerate soft tissues that have degenerated.  Some people may have only scar tissue affecting their movement, while other tissues remain healthy.  Other people may have a combination of scar tissue or fibrosis that gets complicated by surrounding tissues or related tissues beginning to degenerate because of added strain, disease, etc. The nice thing about ASTYM is that it addresses both issues very nicely.

In response to another question on this string, ASTYM does not resolve scar tissue inside the actual joint itself (intra-articular), which is a very small, protected area.  That is a very tough area to treat in any way since it is difficult to access non-surgically.  However, ASTYM does work very well for scar tissue surrounding the joint and adhering to the joint capsule.

[Decruz]

In response to another question on this string, ASTYM does not resolve scar tissue inside the actual joint itself (intra-articular), which is a very small, protected area.  That is a very tough area to treat in any way since it is difficult to access non-surgically.  However, ASTYM does work very well for scar tissue surrounding the joint and adhering to the joint capsule.

I'm really interested in ASTYM, but what I'd like to understand is what is the limit of ASTYM for scar tissue surrounding the joint and adhering to the joint capsule: these scar/fibrosis can be very thick and hard, with bumped areas also.

Can actually ASTYM treat these fibrosis until their dissolution/reabsorption if in the thickest areas they are thicker than normal up to 1cm?

I don't actually see how approaching to them, most of all due to their incredible fibrous hardness; they're not even treatable with hand's knuckles as they're just too hard - instead if treated with instruments (like GRASTON kind of) the superficial area, between skin/subskin and the actual amass of fibrosis/scar tissues, is just too painful and really weird at the same time as most of the sensibility there is gone and I fear of further damages (sensibility is so gone that if I hardly hit something in there I don't actually feel anything but just a burning sensation under the skin, but I should feel a lot of pain instead due to the "bang").
A reply in regards to previous treated case would be very appreciated, thank you.


Decruz

Yes we can

[starpolisher]

I'll add one more question for SportsDoc, as well, since I was going to ask my PT or email the director of education at the Astym website (and I understand you're very busy so don't worry about the time it takes to respond!).  We understand! 

I'm taking a rest from my treatments and noticed about a week after my last treatment, when doing my daily exercises, I had a feeling of a little bump making a rubbing sensation when I was doing my knee bends.  1st I worried a bit about the revision....but then I pressed my finger on it and it was somewhat sore...not really bad though...and was moving it back and forth and then I believe I dislodged a piece of scar tissue.  My knees sometimes can feel like the surface of the moon with all the scar tissue that's been broken down!     But the feeling went away.  My question is how does the PT know when to stop treatments....so we don't do any damage to my revisions?  Should I just go to the orthopedic who is monitoring me ? (my surgeon is in NY) and so I no longer see him.  He's got recent x-rays of my knees.....I assume he could tell by an exam when enough is enough?  That sensation made me think for the first time I don't want anything to go awry with these revisons.  Thanks so much! 

[Stergios]

I informed my PT about these posts. She is very keen on learning new tecniques in her job, including ASTYM. She believes that there is a scientific basis in this method. I told her, why don't you go to the US to have a seminar about. She answered,"The cost is too high", and "I cannot pay so much money, just I have the salary of a PT in the NHS, not more than 1000 euro". Well, it seems that ASTYM is a tecnique to be sold, expensive, very expensive to PT, even to those who would like to promote it in Europe. Or am I wrong? I hope Prof. Sevier is not thinking like this. If ASTYM can help people who fight desperately against AF and want their lives back, there is an addiitive value in expanding her to Europe and the whole world. Money will come to ASTYM in a way or another. But as everything new ASTYM needs her disciples to disseminate her, and most of all to convince O.S. and physiatrists about her effectiveness. ASTYM has nothing to lose if train some PT for Europe. My PT is willing to get trained, as she told me. And she is a good and experienced PT. Well it's up to ASTYM to proceed to the next step.

[Decruz]

ASTYM should schedule a certification course on the EU soil not later than January if they're actually committed in bringing this tecnique in EU...it's easy
They need ONLY 12 to 16 partecipants to fill a certification course...if they decide to do it they can plan the course in 2 weeks (just need to find a place to do it and be sure their instructors are available - but if they're instructors they've to be available!), than 6 weeks to fill the EU course and at the end of January ASTYM will be ready to certify 12 to 16 therapist in Europe.

Bye

[captainruss]

Decruz,

Not to cloud the great thread going on here about ASTYM, but unless you have fantastic medical insurance and unless you are going to lose it do to an Unconstitutional Law (In front of our Supreme Court) as we are in 2014, I suggest I will send you a one way ticket for Obama and he can do for the UK what he has so rapidly done for us the the last 3 years. 

Carrot Top for President.....he has more foreign diplomacy and economic experience and I think he is a KG!!!!

Sorry moderator....but OMG...we have enough trouble discussing the OS that don't have a clue on this site.  If we start with no talent none working politicians we are really going to be in trouble.

Russ

[Decruz]

captainruss,
your idea is yours, my idea is mine and it's different (respect it).
That's it - goodbye

[captainruss]

Decruz,

Yep, that is the glory of this fine country....49 and 1/2 million people who don't pay taxes and get a vote.  You certainly are entitled to your opinion.

Russ

[starpolisher]

Captainruss, I agree with you re what this President has done to our Constitution and how it has affected our insurance and what we had when wee had a choice!  We paid a lot for our insurance and now we are having more and more taken away from us.  Some of those who don't agree also don't live in the US.....have visited....but unless you have lived here for years......well they don't know the drastic changes.  Hoping things change in the next election.

I do want to say re Astym......I am taking a break.....have had 30 treatments so far and my knees are really improved!!!!  I do my home pt and now have a pt table that really helps me when I do 2 exercises expecially.....the Elite Seat works much better.  I will go a few more months of rest and probably do more astym......the next series may be my last...not sure.  My knees (which used to be so bulging from scar tissue) are defintely smaller....closer to my knee size before all the scar tissue.  I still have scar tissue that can be rid of......what a big difference.....big relief.  I am so much better than I was.  I look forward to anyone who goes through a series.  You need a lot (I sure do) but because it is gentle, it doesn't cause scar tissue to come back!  Good luck!

[Decruz]

Sadly, I've already get 16 Astym sessions on my knee and I haven't seen an improvement yet.
I'll keep doing it at least up to 25 sessions, then I'll draw a line and I'll decide if it's worthed keep doing it or what else...
I was sincerely hoping in much more.
Bye

[Carolyn2010]

captain russ,

I've been laser-focused the last two days on the Supreme Court  - its decision could mean a matter of not WHO, but WHEN a TKR be performed. In the TKR forum, a member called wanna has been on a waiting list in the UK since August, 2010, I believe. Obamacare has already lead to many specialists no longer accepting new patients... many doctors in our "yellow pages" are no longer around. Whatever the court's decision, our country will experience further turmoil. I think you live in the state where a 17yr.old was murdered and sensationalized.

Just think of the wait time for a new knee if this law is upheld. The revision I've been contemplating may come sooner rather than later.

[Stergios]

It is supposed that we are not in the right place to criticize health policies of each country. NHS in my country is bankrupted, but I didn't mention anything about it. The issue is if ASTYM is effective enough to talk about or not. If it is effective, everybody of us who suffer by knee problems will do anything to have our knee back. Cheers!

[starpolisher]

Wow Decruz,
I am truly sorry you haven't experienced ANY improvement from Astym!  I wonder if yours is located in a difficult position for the PT?  They can tell where it is by touch.  So can I.  I have had a lot an inch on either side of the scar (mine is rather long due to revisions.....long ones).  My PT did mention mine was in a good spot in terms of it being easy to get to.  I have so much loose skin where once it was all so tight!  Certainly after 16 treatments you should have felt a big difference as I did.  Did your PT talk to Sevier or anyone at the headquarters in Muncie, IN?  At least ask them where the scar tissue is.  While I have not had the ROM improvement hoped for, I have much less pain.  Now that I have a PT table, I am hoping the elite seat will help restore some ROM as it didn't work that well on a mattress.  Still the pain reduction has been very dramatic for me and I can stand and walk for longer periods without agony.  No, not perfect, but big improvement compared to what it was. 

Who is doing your Astym?  Did you find someone in Europe to do it?  What does the PT have to say about the lack of improvement?  Have they talked to anyone at headquarters?  Good luck.

[Decruz]

I'm getting one of the best possible Astym treatment in USA (Dr.Sevier knows, etc.), sadly it's just not working (what works for someone not necessarily works for everyone).
As I said, I'll see after 24-25 treatments, but I'm not positive.
Bye