What is Active Release Technique (ART)?
Active Release Technique or A.R.T is an increasingly popular treatment alternative to conventional remedial massage. A.R.T is a patented, state of the art soft tissue release technique that treats problems with muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia and nerves. This is achieved by placing the tissues through the ranges of movement and applying tension to break up any scar tissue or adhesions within the tissues. The formation of these adhesions is normally associated as a result of overused muscles or are repetitive strain injury (RSI).
How do overuse conditions occur?
The three most common attributes to overuse conditions include the following:
- acute conditions(pulls, tears, collisions, etc.)
- accumulation of small tears via repetitive movements (micro-trauma)
- Lack of oxygen(hypoxia).
Consequently each of these factors can cause your body to produce scar tissue in the affected area. This scar tissue restricts the surrounding tissues that need to move freely. As scar tissue gets denser the affected muscles become shorter and weaker. This can cause reduced range of motion, loss of strength, and pain. If a nerve is trapped it may also cause tingling, numbness, and weakness.
What conditions can ART treat?
A.R.T works extremely well with manipulative therapy. Alternatively, for those that are not fond of manipulation, A.R.T can help to restore movement and function in a less evasive way. The A.R.T protocols have been found to help with certain conditions including:
- Headaches
- Back/Neck Pain
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Nerve Entrapments
- Shoulder Pain
- Sciatica
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Tennis Elbow
- Knee Pain
- Shin Splints
As well as many other injuries and conditions.
What is an ART treatment like?
Every ART session is actually a combination of examination and treatment. The ART provider uses his or her hands to evaluate the texture, tightness and movement of muscles, fascia, tendons, ligaments and nerves. Abnormal tissues are treated by combining precisely directed tension with very specific patient movements.
There are over 500 specific moves all unique within the ART system. These specific moves allow the providers to identify and correct the specific problems that are affecting each individual patient.
Active Release Techniques have a unique and highly specific approach to treating each and every muscle in the body. In doing so ART brings about much faster and more effective changes in the soft tissues of the neuromusculoskeletal system. If you have any questions regarding ART don’t be shy. Our ART trained Chiropractors Brian Borbe, and Julianne Lam are more than happy to answer them for you.
