Art

Active Release Technique (ART®)

is a patented, state of the art soft tissue system/movement based massage technique that treats problems with muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia and nerves. Headaches, back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, shin splints, shoulder pain, sciatica, plantar fasciitis, knee problems, and tennis elbow are just a few of the many conditions that can be resolved quickly and permanently with ART. These conditions all have one important thing in common: they are often a result of overused muscles.

Over-used muscles (and other soft tissues) occur 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 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.
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What is an ART session like?

ART is a very specific soft tissue treatment, similar to a massage.  Patients usually describe it as a “hurts so good”, because tension and pressure is created on the tissue and sometimes it can recreate patients’ pain.  To perform an ART treatment, the Doctors make a contact with their hand and create tension on the tissue by shortening and then lengthening it.  This allows them to use their hands to evaluate the tightness and texture of the soft tissue.  The purpose of ART is to break up adhesions (knots) in the tissue so that it can properly function and heal.  Each technique is unique, and our Doctors often blend ART with other treatments such as chiropractic or rehabilitation to get the longest lasting results.
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Common Injuries Treated with ART:
  • Low back and neck strains
  • Headaches
  • Sciatica
  • Pain from poor posture
  • Shoulder Impingement Syndrome
  • Rotator Cuff Injury
  • Ankle pain or injury
  • Knee pain or injury
  • IT Band Syndrome
  • Elbow Pain
  • Carpal Tunnel
  • Plantar Fascitis
  • the list is endless…