ART is a patented, state-of-the-art soft tissue system that treats problems with muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia and nerves. Headaches, back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, shin splints, shoulder pain, sciatica, plantar fascitis, 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 often result from injury to over-used muscles.
How do overuse injuries occur?
Over-used muscles (and other soft tissues) change in three important ways:
Each of these factors can cause your body to produce tough, dense scar tissue in the affected area. This scar tissue is non-functional; meaning that it 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 entrapped. If a nerve is entrapped you may also feel tingling, numbness, and weakness. When muscles, tendons, and ligaments become short and weak then range of motion and flexibility are reduced.
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, and ligaments. 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.
What is the history of Active Release Techniques?
ART has been developed, refined, and patented by P. Michael Leahy, DC, CCSP. Dr. Leahy noticed that his patients’ symptoms seemed to be related to changes in their soft tissue that could be felt by hand. By observing how muscles, fascia, tendons, and ligaments responded to different types of work, Dr. Leahy was able to consistently resolve over 90% of his patients’ problems. He now teaches and certifies health care providers all over the world to use ART.
Is the treatment painful?
The first one or two treatments can be somewhat uncomfortable depending on the severity of the condition and the patient’s pain tolerance. However, even if the treatment is uncomfortable and reproduces their symptoms, this is only temporary and will stop a few seconds after the treatment.
How long do the treatments take?
The initial consultation, history, examination, and treatment will usually require 30 minutes to one hour. Subsequent treatments take ten to fifteen minutes.
How soon can I expect results?
In most cases, following the first treatment a patient will experience a positive result. This may be an increased range of motion, less pain, increased muscle strength, or decreased numbness and tingling.
Is this similar to other soft tissue treatments, such as other forms of massage?
NO. ART is very different than any other soft tissue, bodywork, massage, or other therapy. ART is very specific and the results achieved utilizing this technique are much more predictable, reproducible, and longer lasting.
Once my problem has been corrected what are the chances of the problem returning?
If the patient is advised as to any lifestyle modifications and follows through with the prescribed exercise/stretches, the likelihood of the condition recurring is very low. Dr. Leahy reported a recurrence rate of only 4% in his carpal tunnel study, of which half (2%), had not followed through with their exercises.
Can I benefit from ART® even if I have already been evaluated and treated by other doctors and specialists?
Only a provider experienced and trained in ART can determine if you might benefit from this treatment. Most of the cases seen in my office are those patients whom have been treated by other health care providers unsuccessfully. Most of these patients are pleasantly surprised when they experience an improvement in their condition after just one or two treatments. There are cases where surgery might be inevitable. Since ART is non-invasive and has no side effects, it is practical to try ART first. In the event surgery in unavoidable, post-surgical care and rehabilitation can also be facilitated with ART.
How does this form of treatment combined benefit an athlete?
Whether the athlete is in high school, college, or an adult; their sport is focused around specific and repetitive movements. The nature of repetitive motions and the unavoidable acute injury are the exact type of conditions ART was designed to correct. By increasing range of motion, decreasing swelling, and minimizing the formation of non-functional scar tissues, an athlete can benefit form ART whether they are injured or not. With the continuing growth and recognition of ART more and more college teams, professional athletes and corporations are utilizing this form of health care to decrease downtime and increase functional productivity. ART is the official medical provider to all IRONMAN events in the United States, and works with numerous NFL, NHL, and college teams, as well as Olympic medical providers.
