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Company History
The groundwork for the ASTYM system, including research and development, took place over a number of years. You can read more about the background of Thomas L. Sevier, MD, the leading researcher and developer of the ASTYM system, or the beginning of the ASTYM system. Other milestones in the history of Performance Dynamics are highlighted below. July, 1996 - The company, Performance Dynamics, Inc. , was established to provide research, education, and support services for the ASTM System. July, 1996 - The Performance Dynamics Network begins. August, 1996 - First clinicians officially certified in the ASTM system. March, 1997 - First study published in Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise confirming the effects of the ASTM system on tendons. October, 1997 - The Outcome Information System, an Internet-based outcome collection system for collecting and reporting ASTM outcomes, is released exclusively to Network Members. February, 1998 - First national presentation of the ASTM system at the APTA National Meeting in Boston, MA. June, 1998 - Study published in Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise documenting the effects of applying variable amounts of focused mechanical pressure on tendon healing- . August, 1998 - Case study published in Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise on an athlete with chronic ankle pain and fibrosis after multiple injuries and surgery who was successfully treated with the ASTM system. January, 2000 - Performance Dynamics awarded prestigious 21st Century Research and Technology Fund grant in conjunction with leading research institutions. April, 2000 - Controlled clinical trial published in Journal of Sports Rehabilitation comparing the ASTM system to traditional therapy. May, 2000 - The ASTM name lengthened to ASTM AdvantEDGE. May, 2001 - Controlled clinical trial comparing the ASTM AdvantEDGE System to home exercise program for the treatment of lateral epicondylitis. Results of this study are currently being compiled. May, 2003 - New technologically advanced ASTM AdvantEDGE Analyst, an outcome collection system for capturing and reporting ASTM AdvantEDGE Outcomes, released exclusively to the Performance Dynamics Network, taking the place of it's predecessor, the Outcome Information System. June, 2003 - Clinical trial to identify MRI changes in patients with patellar tendinitis after being treated with the ASTYM System launched. July, 2003 - The ASTM AdvantEDGE name shortened to ASTYMTM. August , 2003 - Controlled clinical trial measuring the efficacy of the ASTYM system when used to treat Carpal Tunnel Syndrome launched. Present - Find out about current projects and future areas of investigation for the ASTYM System by clicking here. Background of Thomas L. Sevier, MD Throughout his life, Thomas L. Sevier, MD, was always interested in helping people heal. This general interest in medicine became focused on rehabilitation after Dr. Sevier sustained injuries through his participation in athletics. At age 15, he was 6'7" tall and naturally coordinated. These innate talents, coupled with a strong desire to achieve, led him to become an All-American high school basketball star. Once ranked as the top high school forward in the nation, Tom was the subject of strong recruitment efforts by many universities all over the country. Rigorous training took its toll and health issues took his athletic ambitions off-track. However, he now believes that turn of events was a blessing in disguise. It freed him to turn his attention to academics and medical school. He graduated from Indiana University School of Medicine in 1987. He went on to a residency in Internal Medicine and a fellowship in Sports Medicine. Throughout his training, he always sought out available information on rehabilitation, and studied many rehabilitation treatments in depth. His interest originally stemmed from the fact that he had nagging knee, ankle and elbow injuries that could not be solved by the available rehabilitation treatments. Dr. Sevier was driven to find solutions. He became an avid researcher and innovator in the area of rehabilitation. His dedication as a physician and ground-breaking ideas drew the attention of his peers. In 1995, he became the youngest physician to ever be granted fellowship status in the American College of Physicians and that same year he also became the youngest physician to ever be granted fellowship status in the American College of Sports Medicine. He established the very first ACGME accredited Sports Medicine Fellowship in the United States. The program proudly graduates top sports medicine physicians each year. To this day, he remains the director of that Fellowship Program and it continues to maintain its leading position in sports medicine. Among his credits are numerous rehabilitation and scientific publications, including articles in peer-reviewed journals and book contributions, and various recognitions, such as his nomination for a "World of Difference Award". Dr. Sevier often has speaking engagements and television appearances regarding health and rehabilitation. In addition to the ASTYM system, he has developed novel exercise programs and other rehabilitation practices which are now gaining national attention. Dr. Sevier is passionate about continuing to develop new innovations that will enhance patients' lives. The Beginning of the ASTYM System As he began his medical career, Dr. Sevier often saw many patients who were enduring chronic pain from nagging injuries. If problems like his were so pervasive, why hadn’t someone come up with a better treatment? So often, Dr. Sevier would hear people say, “it is something you just have to live with”. That answer was not acceptable to Dr. Sevier. Knowing anatomy thoroughly, and after becoming familiar with the physiology and biochemistry of the healing process, Dr. Sevier began to theorize on how he could recruit the body’s natural mechanisms to restore function and reduce pain. He knew the limitations of the current treatments, and he began laying the groundwork to devise a new approach for more success. Through focusing on stimulating the regeneration of healthy soft tissue, Dr. Sevier thought he could take therapy in a new direction. One day, a patient who had received cross-friction massage in physical therapy, told Dr. Sevier that he tried to continue what the therapist taught him by doing cross-friction, rubbing on his injury, but he had to use an ink pen because his fingers were too weak. This made his injury feel better, but he did not know why. Dr. Sevier was pretty sure he knew why and explained the physiology to him. He went on to explain how the patient could treat the injury more effectively with a different type of motion and how stretching should be included. Dr. Sevier also instructed the patient in the dynamics of an object’s movement over the skin and underlying anatomy and what type of instrument would be more effective. Soon Dr. Sevier was directing the development of instrumentation and protocol to perform the new treatment that is known today as the ASTYM system. In ensuing years, Dr. Sevier and his research team* further honed and developed this original concept. A finely tuned protocol was formulated, and instruments designed accordingly. The basic principles of the treatment involve the breakdown of defective tissue, and the remodeling/regenerating of that tissue into more healthy tissue which allows the body to function better. Amazingly, the treatment is non-invasive, and restores function by using specially designed instruments to topically manipulate underlying tissue. The treatment itself must be coupled with stretching and exercise under the guidance and supervision of a qualified clinician. As the dysfunctional tissue breaks down and is being stimulated, some bruising may be seen, and is considered a good sign. It is visible evidence that tissue is being modified and that the body’s natural healing mechanisms are being employed to restructure the area. Remarkably, patients almost always continue their work, sport, and other activities during the treatment process. In fact, if the patient continues those activities during treatment, the remodeling often occurs in a way to support the demands of those activities. *Through his involvement in healthcare and research, including his relationships with respected organizations and individuals, Dr. Sevier was aware of the steps necessary to take his theories into practice. He was also aware of the great efforts that would need to be made to ensure that the treatment would be as effective as possible. Accordingly, Dr. Sevier enlisted the aid of leading scientists, physicians, clinicians and others in the health care field to confirm and refine his theories and then develop an effective, practical protocol. Dr. Sevier would like to thank all those associated with the development of the ASTYM system, including: Central Indiana Orthopedics, Muncei, Indiana; Ball Memorial Hospital, Muncie, Indiana; 21st Century Research and Technology Fund, State of Indiana; Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana; Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana; Indiana University; and Midwest HealthStrategies, Inc. Scientific and clinical research has been, and continues to be, an area of focus for Performance Dynamics. Current research studies include the following:
In addition to researching the traditional diagnoses treated with the ASTYM system, the Performance Dynamics team strives to explore other areas in which the ASTYM system may provide relief. The following areas are currently earmarked for investigation:
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