active-release-therapyActive Release Technique (ART®) is a certified, specialized method of treating muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia and nerves.  ART® breaks down adhesions or scar tissue that develops because of tissue trauma and overuse. Treating the soft tissues of the body is important to allow them to function without over-straining and causing pain.

Active Release Techniques uses a patented, movement-based technique to treat conditions that occur because of over-use. Over-used muscles (and other soft tissues) change in three important ways:

• acute conditions (pulls, tears, collisions, etc)
• accumulation of small tears (micro-trauma)
• not getting enough oxygen (hypoxia)

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 cause 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.

What is an ART treatment like?

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.

Conditions Commonly Treated with ART

  • Headaches
  • Back and Neck Pain
  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
  • Adhesive Capsulitis
  • Tendinopathies
  • Shin splints
  • Sciatica
  • Plantar Fasciitis
  • Tennis/Golfer’s Elbow (Epicondylitis)
  • Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome
  • Whiplash