Active Release Techniques® (ART®) is a patented soft tissue treatment system administered by trained professionals to certain soft tissue structures of the body. This manual therapy design is based on scientifically-proven evidence that repetitive movements or static positions can create adhesions between nerves, muscles, and connective tissue, creating a hypoxic environment more susceptible to injury.
As these adhesions or scar tissue build up, muscles can become shorter and weaker, tendons become inflamed, and nerves can become trapped. This leads to reduced range of motion, loss of strength, and pain. An inflamed or trapped nerve can also give symptoms of tingling, numbness, and weakness.ART® treatment can effectively break up this scar tissue through specific maneuvers that work with the lines of tension within the tissue, progressively stretching and lengthening the tissue, and restoring its overall normal structure and function.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is involved in an ART® Treatment?
Active Release Techniques, also referred to as ART®, is a combination of movement based soft tissue treatments used by chiropractor to relieve pain in nerves, ligaments, nerves, tendons, muscles, and other connective tissue in the body. It often acts as a diagnostic tool to assess the severity of the injury, as well as any improvements from concurrent treatment. The practitioner is able to palpate the location and severity of the adhesions that create the injury, and then treat by maneuvering the tissues through a stretch while holding tension on the injured tissue.
ART® is one of the most effective forms of treatment for repetitive-motion injuries and has helped athletes return quickly to their training protocols and routines. With a success rate of over 90%, the program has become one of most sought after soft tissue treatment methods today.
Does ART® hurt?
The treatment is directed onto the sites of adhesion and surrounding structures and works to break up the scar tissue, the main cause of pain and dysfunction. Since these sites are sensitive, ART® may create some discomfort that many patients describe as “good pain”. During the treatment, patient is asked to move the muscle actively, which increases the tension in the injured tissue, and creates a muscular release that may elicit some soreness. The patient is asked for feedback during the treatment so that their tolerance level is maintained.
How long is the treatment?
The length of the treatment program depends on the patient and their needs. On average, we recommend between four and eight visits, each lasting about 15-30 minutes. Obviously there are many factors that could alter the range, and these include: the severity of the injury (depth and number of injured tissues), your willingness to participate in your treatment, and your age. Your compliance in the recovery is also crucial to achieving optimal results and helps reduce the chances of reoccurrence. Our Toronto chiropractor will develop a home based program to maintain the positive effects of the treatment.
How does ART® improve performance?
Performance in any daily activity or sporting event can be improved significantly with ART® by restoring proper muscle function and movement patterns. This type of treatment is just as useful in maintaining good muscle and joint mechanics as it is in reducing pain levels. Reducing the number of adhesions between tissues increases the efficiency and endurance of these tissues, and hence performance. Combining tissue restoration with muscular re-patterning is the key to consistent performance. Sport-specific exercise programs created for you by our Toronto chiropractor will assure the improvements from the treatment are sustained in your sporting event.
What conditions can ART® treat?
This soft tissue treatment technique can help with optimizing tissue health and performance, but is also very effective with acute or chronic conditions such as:
- Headaches
- Neck and low back pain
- Sciatica and other lower body nerve entrapment syndromes
- Carpal tunnel syndrome and other upper body nerve entrapments
- Rotator cuff injury (tendinitis/tears)
- Shin splints
- IT Band Syndrome and Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
- Tennis Elbow and Golfer’s Elbow and
- Plantar fasciitis and other foot problems
Questions about the ART® Treatment? We will respond to all inquiries with 1 – 2 business days.
Active Release Technique Articles
- Using Active Release Techniques To Combat Sciatica
- Get Acquainted With 6 Important Advantages Of Active Release Techniques!
- How Do Active Release Techniques Work In The Treatment Of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome?
- How Active Release Technique Can Benefit Athletes
- What Are The Outstanding Benefits Of Cold Laser Therapy?
- Understanding The ART of Active Release Technique
- The Science Behind The Active Release Technique
- Active Release Therapy: Identifying Scar Tissue in Overused Muscles
- How Can Active Release Techniques Help Me?