Treatments

ART is a patented, state of the art soft tissue system/movement based massage technique that treats problems with muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia and nerves. Headaches, back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, shin splints, shoulder pain, sciatica, plantar fasciitis, knee problems, and tennis elbow are just a few of the many conditions that can be resolved quickly and permanently with ART. These conditions all have one important thing in common: they are often a result of overused muscles.

Over-used muscles (and other soft tissues) change in three important ways:

Each of these factors can cause your body to produce tough, dense scar tissue in the affected area. This scar tissue 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 cause reduced range of motion, loss of strength, and pain. If a nerve is trapped you may also feel tingling, numbness, and weakness.

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.

These treatment protocols – over 500 specific moves – are unique to ART. They allow providers to identify and correct the specific problems that are affecting each individual patient. ART is not a cookie-cutter approach.

What is scar tissue and what are its causes?

Scar tissue is dense fibrous material that the body creates to connect and bind injured tissue. This is a normal process that occurs following injury, allowing the body to heal itself. The prob- lem 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 been laid, the nerve can be “pinched”, restricted, pulled or entrapped by that adhesion which can cause it to trigger pain, or even tingling, numbness and weakness. The process can limit motion, over- stimulating or overworking healthy tissue, which can also lead to pain and discomfort.

Since scar tissue is less flexible than the original tissue, it may not allow the muscle or other tissue to move freely through the normal range of motion. Scar tissue is meant to repair and lay down along the length of muscles to isolate and strengthen them.    However, sometimes the tissue is laid down irregularly – across the muscle width or may even attach itself to nearby structures and other muscles. These “adhesions” can result in pain, loss of flexibility and diminished strength.

How does overuse and 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, creating hypoxia (not enough oxygen), causing the body to form adhesions. (Examples of repetitive stress could be; poor posture, improper exercise form, athletic pursuits, and even improper ergonomics at the work place.)

Each ART® session that combines examination of the injury and a treatment specific to that area. ART® is a “manual” process in which we use our hands to evaluate muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia and nerves for tightness and range of movement, even the texture of the tissues are noted. This abnormal tissue (fibrous adhesions), is treated by applying precise, direct pressure with tension at different areas along the effected tissue while the patient performs slow, full-range movements – the “active” part of Active Release. Adhesions are therefore stretched and broken away from their improper placement on muscles, tendons, nerves, etc. allowing them to move smoothly over one another.

Because ART® treatments are very focused on individual structures and firm pressure is applied, treatments may be uncomfortable and the patient may experience delayed soreness, much like that of heavy exercise. After ART® sessions we may provide ultrasound or cold laser treatment of the affected area to reduce inflammation and promote healing.

Active Release Techniques® is for everyone.

ART® can benefit anyone. From injuries in the heat of competition to slowly accumulating aches and pains years in the making. ART® is a fast, non-invasive and effective healing approach for many soft tissue injuries and can help you return to sport/pre-injury function sooner.

ART 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 work, 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.