Active Release Techniques

History

Active Release Techniques® (ART®) is one of the most effective soft tissue treatment therapies available. More than 30 years ago, Dr. P. Michael Leahy combined his experience as a chiropractor and his knowledge of engineering, anatomy, and biomechanics to pioneer the ART® protocol for resolving soft tissue complaints. Unlike other soft tissue treatment options, ART® therapy utilizes muscle tension and soft tissue knowledge to address muscular adhesions and scar tissue that result in pain. As a result, ART® therapy works rapidly, often reducing pain by as much as 90% in four treatment sessions.

Today, ART® therapy is utilized by every NFL football team, nearly every Major League Baseball team, Olympic athletes, and Ironman Triathletes, in order to provide relief from soft tissue pain.

Over-used Muscles

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 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.

How Does It Work

A.R.T. involves the dissolution of scar tissue. By breaking up the scar tissue located in the muscles, ligaments, and tendons; healthy tissue can regenerate.

Every A.R.T. session is actually a combination of examination and treatment. The A.R.T. provider uses their 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 A.R.T. They allow providers to identify and correct the specific problems that are affecting each individual patient.