ASTYM

Augmented Soft Tissue Mobilization=ASTYM



No, I do not know what the "Y" is for.



ASTYM targets adhesions and inappropriate fibrosis within soft tissue (scar tissue) that resulted from my surgeries. ASTYM stimulates the breakdown of scar tissue and allows functional restoration to occur. Scar tissue and resulting restrictions are identified and broken down by a therapist. Controlled microtrauma, as in a type of massage, initiates a local inflammatory response that leads to the resorption of the excessive scar tissue. Existing collagen is remodeled and new collagen is influenced by a program of specific functional activities and stretching.



In other words, the ASTYM specialist is resculpting the scar tissue left from my surgeries in order to increase my function and mobility that radiation decreases. As I mentioned before, the statistics show that 80% of people undergoing radiation experience some type of side effect in regard to loss of function, lymphedema, and/or decreased mobility.



Of that 80%, 40% have severe side effects, another 40% have mild, and the last 20% have moderate effect.



ASTYM is a proactive means to combat the side effects before damage is attained and usually, irreversible. A lot of people have never heard of this and thereby suffer the side effects from the radiation needlessly. I am not saying that ASTYM is a cure-all for lymphedema or decreased function, I am saying that it is a proactive approach to try and stave off as much damage as possible.



My ASTYM therapist is from England and she wonderful! She is an ASTYM specialist with expertise dealing with breast cancer patients. I love her. Her voice is calm and soothing. I lay there and she speaks to me with her British accent and I feel quite relaxed. She massages the areas of lymph nodes and uses a tool to manipulate the scar tissue. Of course, I am numb and always will be, but oddly enough, I truly believe I felt hints of sensation while she was working on me. Did I mention the pure cocoa butter she uses?? Oh my gosh. What a heavenly scent in the dead of winter.



My therapist's name is Claire and she is wonderful. Maybe it was the "massage", maybe it was the accent, or maybe it was the way she said nice things. You know, most of my appointments have had such things in them as mood-deflating as possible, but with Claire, she said great things...



"Oh! You have terrific range of motion!"



"You should do well in therapy since you are so young..."



"By your coming early, I think we will be able to save as much functionality as possible."



Wait, did she say I was "young"???



Love her!!!



Anyway, things are going fine and I cannot thank Lucy enough for telling me about Claire and the ASTYM program. By far, my appointments with Claire are my favorite...and she thinks I am young.



*smile*