What is Active Release Techniques (ART)
and How Can It Help
Active Release Technique is a state of the art soft tissue treatment that treats problems with the muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia and nerves. Conditions involving an overuse of tendons are commonly and effectively treated with ART.
Over-used muscles often are a result of acute conditions like pulls, tears, and collisions. Or they have an accumulation of small tears (micro-trauma), don't have enough oxygen (hypoxia). In each of these conditions, your body will 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 Active Release Technique 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
Active Release Techniques are complex and sophisticated treatments. They require trained professionals to be performed correctly and effectively.
A trained ART provider spends hours taking courses, hours studying, and must pass a certification for each body region. They must maintain this certification by taking yearly courses in order to stay up to date in their treatments.
