Rehabilitation Center
Patient Education

ASTYM - The ASTYM treatment is a manual technique utilizing hand-held tools to stimulate the body's own healing process. The ASTYM approach is a non-invasive, fast, and effective method for the treatment of several hard-to-treat orthopedic conditions. Some common conditions treated with the ASTYM treatment include: Adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder), Achilles tendinosis, groin/hamstring sprain/strain, IT band syndrome, lateral epicondylosis (tennis elbow), medial epicondylosis (golfers elbow), plantar fasciitis/heel pain. Rockford Orthopedic Rehabilitation has seven certified ASTYM providers that have been utilizing this technique to achieve excellent outcomes since 2006.

Taping- Your therapist may use taping as part of your rehabilitation to maximize function while attempting to reduce pain. There are different types of taping that may be used. The patient is asked to note any changes in pain while wearing the tape and will be instructed in specific wear instructions for the tape.

Kinesio Tape - Kinesio tape is designed to gently create forces on the surface of the skin, which elevate the tissue, relieving the pressures beneath the skin surface, thereby promoting increased circulation to the tissues and structures beneath the area taped.

General taping precautions

Remove tape if:

  • Skin becomes itchy
  • Skin show signs of redness similar to heat rash
  • Skin shows signs of welts
  • Pain in the treating area is significantly increased

To remove tape properly:

  • Peel the tape slowly back over itself while pushing the skin in the opposite direction
  • DO NOT PULL TAPE OFF FAST!
  • If tape is really stuck you may use water, baby oil, or tape adhesive remover at the edge to help removal.

Splint Wear and Care

Splints are used to support, control, and help heal the injured area of the body. Splints come in all shapes and forms and can be used on areas such as fingers, hands, elbows and shoulders. Splints can be custom made, which means a therapist made it to fit only you, or it may be prefabricated, which means it was made for the general public. You should be able to use your hand when the splint is on you, as long as this is allowed by your doctor and is appropriate for your diagnosis. You should remember that in many cases, if you cannot do a task with the splint on, you should not be performing that task.

Wearing Schedule and Precautions

The therapist will provide a specific wearing schedule for you dependent on your diagnosis. The length of time (weeks or months) you wear your splint also depends on your diagnosis. Your therapist or doctor will discuss with you the length of time you should be wearing your splint. Your therapist will discuss how much you should be using your hand within the splint as some diagnoses do not allow any hand use (tendon repairs) and others encourage use within the splint (carpal tunnel). Your therapist will give you specific exercises as needed. If you are having pain and/or irritation from your splint, you should notify the therapy clinic so the therapist can determine if changes need to be made to the splint. Be aware of possible swelling if the splint or straps are too tight. If this occurs, then loosen the straps and elevate or ice the affected area.

General Facts on Skin and Splint Maintenance

WASHING: The splint should be washed and dried thoroughly on a daily basis. They can be washed with soap and water or rubbing alcohol rinsed with water. Straps can be hand washed in warm, soapy water and then air-dried. Never put a splint or straps in the dryer as they may shrink or deform.