ACTIVE RELEASE TECHNIQUE (A. R. T.)®

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.

When a tissue is kept in a tightened or stressed position for a prolonged period of time, the blood supply to that tissue becomes compromised. Some examples in which this may occur is during prolonged endurance sports where the muscles are constantly being used; during repetitive tasks at work; or with poor posture where muscles are constantly being stressed. When an oxygen dependant tissue (such as muscle) does not receive enough oxygen (and thus energy) to function, this is referred to as “tissue hypoxia”. If presented with this situation, your body will begin to replace oxygen dependant tissue with tissue that doesn’t require as much oxygen to function…this tissue is called “Fibrotic tissue” or “Scar tissue”. As scar tissue is deposited into the tissue, the function of the tissue is severely hindered. Using the example of muscle tissue, a scarred or fibrotic muscle will be unable to contract properly, and thus will be unable to carry out its desired function. Therefore your body will begin recruit other muscles compensate for the injured muscle. As these muscles begin to do the job of two muscles they remain tight, become hypoxic, develop scar tissue…etc.

In addition to causing tissue dysfunction, scar tissue (also known as adhesions):

- Limits the available range of motion in the tissue

- Is a high friction substance thus irritates nerves causing pain

- Has the ability to cause tissues to “stick” (or adhere) to each other thus resulting in increased friction between tissues

 Active Release utilizes several hundred protocols that are designed to release the tissue and help return the body to the correct and natural position without the adhesions. This is a very effective treatment that works on athletes and non-athletes alike.