Active Release Technique® (ART)
Active Release Technique is a patented, state of the art soft tissue system/movement based massage technique that treats problems with muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia and nerves. Some of the conditions which can be resolved quickly and permanently with ART include headaches, back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, shin splints, shoulder pain, sciatica, plantar fasciitis, knee problems, tennis elbow and more. All of these conditions have one important thing in common: they often are the result of overused muscles.
How do overuse conditions occur?
Over-used muscles, and other soft tissues, are changed in three important ways:
- Acute conditions (pulls, tears, collisions, trauma etc.)
- Accumulations of small tears (constant "micro-trauma)
- Not getting enough oxygen (hypoxia)
Each of these factors can cause your body to produce tough, dense scar tissue in the affected area which, in turn, binds up and ties down tissues that need to move freely. As scar tissue builds up, muscles become shorter and weaker, tension on tendons causes tendonitis, and nerves can become trapped. This can result in reduced range of motion, loss of strength, pain and diminished function. A trapped nerve may also cause you to feel tingling, numbness and weakness.
What is an ART treatment like?
Every Active Release session is 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 and treatment protocols which are all unique to ART. They allow providers to identify and correct the specific problems that are affecting each individual patient. With ART, each patient is treated differently according to their symptoms and findings upon examination of their problem area. ART is not a cookie-cutter approach.
What is the history of Active Release Techniques?
Active Release Technique® has been developed, refined, and patented by P. Michael Leahy, DC, CCSP. Dr. Leahy noticed that his patients' symptoms seemed to be related to changes in their soft tissue that could be felt by hand. By observing how muscles, fascia, tendons, ligaments and nerves responded to different types of treatment, Dr. Leahy was able to consistently resolve over 90% of his patients' problems. He now teaches and certifies health care providers all over the world to use ART.
Source: Active Release Technique Website
For more about ART, go to www.activerelease.com
