Active Release Technique
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ART techniques pageART® 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.

 

How do overuse conditions occur?

Over-used muscles (and other soft tissues) occur in three important ways:

  • Acute conditions (pulls, tears, collisions, etc.),
  • Accumulation of small tears (micro-trauma, often the result of repetitive motion)
  • Not getting enough oxygen (hypoxia, often the result of daily stress and poor posture or ergonomics).

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.

 

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. Combining precisely directed tension from the practitioner’s hands with very specific patient movements treats abnormal tissues.