The effect of three different angles of application of Ergon IASTM technique on hamstrings thermal skin responses

6^th International Conference & Exhibition on Physiotherapy & Physical Rehabilitation

August 13-14, 2018 | London, UK

Konstantinos Fousekis, Konstantinos Mylonas and Pavlos Angelopoulos

Technological Educational Institute of Western Greece, Greece

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: Physiother Rehabil

Abstract :

Background: Ergon® instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization technique (Î?rgon® IASTM) is an innovative and rapidly growing in popularity procedure in neuro musculo skeletal rehabilitation due to its effectiveness and efficiency in correcting postural alterations and accelerating tissue healing. Ergon Î?ASTM technique applications are based on the use of Ergon® IASTM tools which treat various myofascial dysfunctions utilizing multiple angles of therapeutic application such as 20o, 60o and 90o. This study aimed to examine the thermal skin responses (thermal built-up and retention rate) to Ergon IASTM treatment procedures applied in 20o, 60o and 90o angle. Methods: 20 college students participated in the present study and received Ergon treatment in a random and counter balanced order as follows: a) with 20o treatment angle b) with 60o treatment angle and c) with 90o treatment angle, on three visits made 1 per week. The participants received a 10-minute application of the IASTM technique to their dominant hamstrings with linear and semicircular strokes, and their skin temperature was measured in three points for every one minute by a skin thermometer before, immediately post treatment and up to a point was returned to the base line value. Results: Ergon IASTM technique application resulted in a significant increase (2-3oC, p=<0.05) in skin temperature compared with the baseline values, irrespective of the angle of implementation. Nevertheless, the use of the Ergon IASTM Techniques at 60o and 90o led to a statistically significant increase in skin temperature compared with the 20o application. No significant difference in thermal built-up was observed between the applications of 60o and 90o. Furthermore, there was a statistically significant difference (p=0.00) regarding the thermal retention rate produced by the treatment procedure utilizing 90o compared with the 20o as in the 90o group the temperature was maintained above the baseline levels for 76, 75 minutes while in the group treated with 20o angles for 62, 75 minutes. Conclusions: The findings of the present study confirm that Ergon IASTM Techniques applications of different angles can induce and sustain significant thermal skin adaptations. These skin temperature adaptations were more pronounced when adopting a high angle of application (>60o).

Biography :

E-mail: konfousekis@gmail.com