How do overuse injuries occur?
Over-used muscles (and other soft tissues) change in three
important ways:
• acute injuries (pulls, tears,
collisions, etc.);
• accumulation of small tears
(micro-trauma);
• not getting enough oxygen (hypoxia).
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.
Abnormal tissues are treated by combining precisely directed tension with very
specific patient movements.
ART is unique in its systematic approach to within patient and tissue tolerance
because the patient can control the active movement during treatment. 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.
Why is ART used?
ART is used to allow for free and unimpeded movement of
muscles, tendons, nerves and joints, to allow for a dramatic change in comfort,
flexibility and strength. ART is used to enhance and optimize your performance,
improve your form and function.
How
does ART work?
ART works by releasing the level of tightness or scar tissue
formation that has formed as a result of injury overuse or even postural
imbalances. The tissues are worked to fix injuries within muscles, tendons,
ligaments, and between nerves to allow for improved tissue texture, tension,
movement and function.
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, ligaments and nerves 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.
