The topic of the Active Release Technique (ART) is very near and dear to me. First off, I will try and keep it as simple as possible and explain what it is….it really is simple.
ART is a patented, state-of-the-art soft tissue system that treats problems with muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia, and nerves. Here is a list of some of the more common conditions that ART is fantastic for resolving:
Headaches
Back Pain
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Shin Splints (this is a personal condition I had that was successfully resolved with ART(quickly) and is the reason I decided to pursue training in ART during my Chiropractic Education
Shoulder Pain
Plantar Fascitis
Sciatica
Tennis and Golf Elbow (lateral and medial epicondylitis)
These are just a few examples of the many conditions that ART can resolve. The common element of all these conditions is…they often result from injury to overused muscles. Every ART session is a combination of examination and treatment. An ART certified practitioner uses his or her hands to evaluate the texture, tightness, and movement of muscles, fascia, tendons, ligaments, and nerves. The dysfunctional tissue is treated by combining precisely directed tension with specific patient movements. The treatment protocols -over 500 of them and growing- are unique to ART.
Whether you are an office worker(desk jobs!), a weekend warrior(thanksgiving day football), or a world-class athlete, the preventative and restorative benefits of ART can help you perform your activities of daily living (ADLs) at your best.
When people ask me what it is that “I do”….I try not to just say I’m a Chiropractor. Many Chiropractors are not trained in ART…and I am very much biased toward practitioners that implement Soft tissue techniques in their practice….I usually like to respond by saying…I’m a neuromechanical musculoskeletal specialist! Ha…that usually sparks more interest. It is my belief that we cannot ignore the soft tissue dysfunction and only address the mis-alignments of the spine. Every Chiropractor is different and we all have our own experiences and skill sets.
I started my training in ART early in my Chiropractic college education. My first treatment was for shin splints….I use to get shin splints all the time from basketball, volleyball, and my occasional runs. I was treated 3-4 times with ART and I never had shin splints again.
Certainly, I also did more preventative exercises in conjunction with ART…but I was back to playing sports without pain in just a few treatments. I immediately signed up for training in ART and was Full Body certified before I even graduated from Chiropractic college… Needless to say, I had many fellow students that wanted me to perform ART on them during school.
ART has brought many of the awesome experiences in my career and is the reason I have been able to work with many great Practitioners over the years. Many professional athletes are aware of ART and seek practitioners with this high skill set. Shortly in my career I was able to work with many of these athletes in South Florida…Olympic Triathletes, PGA professionals, professional tennis players, professional musicians and even a few Celebrities…gotta love Palm Beach. I owe a great amount of my experiences to the specific training in ART.
Below is a list of great links to learn more about ART. Love to answer any questions concerning this amazing technique.