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What is Active Release Technique?
Active Release Technique or 'ART' is a patented, state of the art soft tissue system that is movement based. The technique is used to treat problems that involve the muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia, and nerves. ART uses the examiners hands to apply the technique. The main goal is to reestablish proper motion between muscles and fascia while reducing fibrous adhesions. Ultimately myofascial (muscle and fascia) and neural (nerves) glide is reestablished allowing for proper function.
The technique can be used on patients with acute, chronic, overuse, repetitive strain injuries and postoperative cases of all types. The number of postoperative cases ART providers see is growing steadily due to the scar tissue development involved in healing.
Who can benefit from ART?
Headaches, back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, shin splints, shoulder pain, sciatica, plantar null, knee problems, and tennis elbow are a few of the many conditions that can be resolved quickly and many times permanently with ART. These conditions have an important thing in common; they are often a result of overused muscles.
How is ART different from other soft tissue techniques?
ART® uses movement of the patient to create tension on scar tissue. Every session combines an examination and treatment, which targets the soft tissue that has been injured. ART treats specific muscles, which target the exact area of the scar within each tissue. Unlike massage or other myofascial release techniques, ART® has over 500 specific protocols that treat affected areas of the body.
What is scar tissue and what are its causes?
Scar tissue is dense fibrous material that body creates to connect and bind injured tissue. The problem occurs when that same scar tissue binds to surrounding structures like “glue” which occurs more often than thought. If a nerve runs through a muscle in an area where scar tissue had laid, the nerve can be “pinched”, pulled or entrapped by that adhesion which can cause it to trigger pain. The process can limit motion over-stimulating or overworking healthy tissue, which can also lead to pain and discomfort.
How does overuse/ repetitive stress cause scar tissue?
Overuse or repetitive stress increases the tension in the tissues of the body. Chronic tension applied to the tissue decreases the blood supply, causing the body to form adhesions. (Examples of repetitive stress could be; poor posture, improper exercise form, athletic pursuits, improper ergonomic at the work place.)
