ART: Active Release Technique

ART – Active Release Technique Specialist

Patients from the San Antonio and Austin, TX area can seek relief for soft tissue pain from the expert practitioners at Pro-Care Medical Center who utilize effective treatments like Active Release Therapy to help their patients live more active and fulfilling lives.

What is active release therapy?

ART, Active Release Therapy, is a patented state of the art soft tissue system/movement based technique. It is a manual myofascial release method that focuses on the texture, tension, movement, and function of muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia, and nerves. Many conditions can be resolved quickly and permanently with ART. All of these conditions have a common culprit, the result of overused muscles. Overused muscles and other soft tissues change in 3 important ways:

  1. Acute conditions(pulls, tears, collisions, etc.)
  2. Accumulation of small tears (micro-trauma)
  3. Not getting enough oxygen (hypoxia)

These changes can lead to restricted tissue patterns. For example, dense scar tissue in the affected region will form. This scar tissue formation prevents surrounding tissue from moving freely. As the pattern progresses, muscles become tighter, shorter, and weaker. Tension will develop on tendons causing tendonitis and eventually nerves can become entrapped within the fascia, causing numbness, tingling, and weakness.

What conditions are treated with ART?

ART can be used to treat issues with any soft tissue, including muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia, and nerves. Some conditions frequently treated with this technique include back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, plantar fasciitis, knee problems and other conditions resulting from overused muscles. Overused muscles often indicate another condition including pulls, tears, microtears, or lack of oxygen. Overuse of muscle or tissue stimulates the production of tough scar tissue, which can decrease the mobility of the tissue. This can shorten muscles and lead to conditions like tendonitis and trapped nerves, further reducing the range of motion and strength.

What happens during an ART treatment?

Each ART session consists of a thorough examination and treatment. The provider has been trained in over 106 protocols for upper extremity conditions alone. This allows the provider to individualize patient care and resolve their condition both efficiently and effectively. The abnormal tissue is treated with a combination of precise direct tension with specific patient movements. Significant results are seen within a few visits. The practitioner will use his or her hands to feel and manipulate the patient’s soft tissue during this examination. Once the abnormal tissues are identified, the treatment commences with tension being put on precise locations combined with specific patient movements. Each patient’s body is unique, so the clinician will apply the protocols and movements specific to the patient’s needs and condition.