Background: Tennis is a high-intensity global sport that demands strong upper limb coordination, postural control, and dynamic scapular stability. Among the key stabilizing muscles, the rhomboids play a vital role in scapular retraction and shoulder alignment during repetitive movements such as the serve, forehand, and backhand strokes. Continuous loading and overuse of these muscles predispose tennis players to myofascial trigger points (MTrPs), resulting in pain, tightness.
Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization (IASTM) is a noninvasive physiotherapy technique that employs specialized stainless-steel tools to mobilize soft tissue, break fibrotic adhesions, enhance collagen remodeling, and stimulate fibroblast proliferation. This approach may effectively relieve trigger points, increase circulation, and restore optimal muscle function.

Aim: To evaluate the effects of the IASTM technique on rhomboid muscle trigger points and its impact on pain pressure threshold (PPT) in tennis players.

Methodology: An experimental study was conducted on 111 amateur tennis players aged 15–25 years diagnosed with rhomboid muscle trigger points. Pain intensity was measured using the Numerical Pain Rating Scale (NPRS), and PPT was assessed using an algometer. Participants received IASTM treatment for 5 minutes, followed by cryotherapy to minimize post-treatment inflammation. Pre- and post-intervention data were statistically analyzed using paired t-test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test to determine significance.

Results: Post-intervention analysis demonstrated a significant reduction in pain and increase in pain pressure threshold. The mean NPRS decreased from 6.07 ± 1.39 to 5.03 ± 1.98 (p < 0.001), while the mean PPT increased from 1.23 ± 0.42 to 1.41 ± 0.50 (p < 0.001). Out of 111 participants, 59.5 % showed positive improvement, 18 % had no change, and 22.5 % experienced transient soreness or no improvement.