When you hear Active Release Technique (ART), you could think about soft tissue care. This modernised treatment is different from conventional massages in that it directs tension or pressure on specific muscles thus ensuring that the tissues will not feel stressed during movement. This therapy is so unique – it is the only soft tissue treatment that has gained a patent. Learn more about the ART behind Active Release Technique!
What does ART treat?
Perhaps, this is one of the particular areas of concern you have when it comes to learning ART. Generally, the technique addresses care and treatment for injured muscles, fascia, tendons, nerves and ligaments. The technique can be of much help for small traumatic injuries resulting from accumulative trauma or repetitive strain. More specifically, however, it works to break up fibrous tissues called adhesions. These adhesions result from the tear on the tendon, ligament or muscle.
Adhesions commonly develop in different ways. It can come from trauma as a result of acute injury or from repetitive motion injury resulting from overuse. It can also be a result of poor posture that has been aggravated by constant pressure as well as tension produced in soft tissues for extended periods of time. Such adhesions, when left untreated, can limit blood flow as well as shorten muscles. The worse is they can even result to either pain or weakness and at times numbness most especially when it pressures the nerves. When adhesions strike, the patient will certainly complain of discomfort much more of the fact that they will not be able to join the physical activities they were used to doing in the past.
How does the treatment work?
ART works by taking a few passes on the affected muscle, tendon or ligament. When compared to other soft tissue therapies, it is said to accomplish better end results. Primarily, ART targets the injured area by applying force and tension to it. From there, the patient will be tasked to perform a movement that will help release the tension from the treatment. This can basically improve movement for the treated area.
The combination of the tension from ART and that of the movement of muscles will loosen and break up the adhesions. As a result, there will be lesser pain felt on the once injured area. This technique works well with active strengthening as well as biomechanics training. The combination of these techniques will make patients feel improved body awareness and strength even after a few ART sessions.
How different is ART from traditional soft tissue treatments?
Compared to conventional modes of soft tissue treatment, ART boasts of a very comprehensive approach. The technique is performed by certified practitioners who underwent a very rigorous training process. Practitioners are given sit-in classes and have hands-on testing too. Their certification does not stop after they pass the 90% mark on the hands-on test though. They will also have to maintain their ART certification by undergoing annual recertification. This will work by honing the practitioner’s skills and at the same time will boil to the benefit of patients undergoing the treatment.
How effective is ART as a treatment?
Current research has proven how effective the technique is when it comes to treating hamstring pain and dysfunction as well as hip pain, turf toe and carpal tunnel. While the effectiveness of ART has been proven along these areas, several studies are still being made to look into its potential for treating ailments for other body parts.
For more about ART and the soft tissue injuries it can help treat, please browse our pages. If you have any queries about this and all our other services, feel free to contact us.