Active Release Techniques® (ART®) is a soft tissue treatment system that is designed to effectively locate and treat muscle, tendon, ligament, nerve, fascia or connective tissue based pathology. The system is based on the principles of effective diagnosis and treatment. The practitioner is able to use their hands to effectively find aberrant tissue traits that allow for them to focus their treatment to those areas.
ART® soft tissue management system is founded on scientific evidence that our muscles, blood vessels, nerves, and connective tissue develop adhesions within and between them produced from a variety of injuries including: cumulative (chronic injury), acute (sudden injury), and pressure (due to our daily habits). The developed adhesions alter the motion of muscles or joints, producing symptoms including weakness, pain, reduced range of motion, tingling and numbness.
The treatment will focus on the practitioner applying a precise amount of tension to the involved tissues while the patient will actively move in specific patterns to restore optimal function and alleviate pain. Active Release Technique® is similar to deep tissue massage and or myofascial release but differs in the way it approaches soft tissue manipulation. There is no sliding on the skin or skin tension.
ART® is effective in treating muscles, ligaments, and tendons congested with fibrotic tissue or adhesions throughout the body by freeing up their ability to function and thereby reducing pain.
ART® can also be helpful in treating peripheral nerve entrapments wherein nerves have become entrapped by “scar tissue” and have tension or pressure exerted during certain positions or movements. The goals of Active Release Techniques® are to stimulate lymphatic system functioning to reduce inflammation and promote the flow of joint fluids throughout your body restoring flexibility.
Active Release Techniques® differs from massage in the use of the movement of the limb, or spine under tension, and the attention to anatomical detail and possible nerve entrapments in the area. Active Release Technique calls for the hands to feel for abnormal or damaged tissue in muscle, tendons, ligaments and/or fascia (abnormalities present will have a different texture and tension affecting movement and functioning that a patient is able to perform).
Active Release Techniques® Can Treat Numerous Injuries:
Active Release Techniques® is effective for soft tissue ailments born from chronic tissue shortening or restriction, including difficult to treat painful conditions like sciatica, carpal tunnel and frozen shoulder. Also, abnormal tissue that goes unnoticed can manifest into an injury. Symptoms of injured tissue include a tightening feeling due to a shortening of the muscle. Activities that used to be easy become difficult – stiffer golf swing rotation, or struggling to reach your seatbelt. A limited range of motion, reduced mobility, poor biomechanics, and loss of strength can all be identified and corrected by applying Active Release Techniques®.
