Active Release Techniques®

'ART®' is a regulated form of soft-tissue therapy which is widely becoming famous for its use in the athletic world on Olympic class and professional athletes, but also for its use and versatility when applied to many common conditions experienced by patients seeking chiropractic care.  The foundation for ART is based on freeing different tissues from one another bound by adhesions (scar tissue from old injury or inflammation). Adhesions can cause muscle dysfunction and weakness and lack appropriate sliding of between muscle, tendon, ligament, or nerve alongside another such structure.

In this video Dan Selstad explains Active Release Techniques as well as demonstrates a few common protocols:

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artlogoimageThe benefits of ART immediately after treatment patients report feeling looser with decreased pain and more range. Long term outcome is variable, but many uncomplicated cases see significant improvement after the first to third visit. In time the weak injury-prone scar tissue is replaced by strong healthy connective tissue helping to heal those old injuries once and for all!

During ART the doctor is able to adjust their hand tension according to patient comfort so patient experience ranges from a comfortable deep focal stretch to slight discomfort typical to that experienced during deep-tissue massage.

Typically the doctor will first palpate the structure, usually a muscle, causing problems determined by physical exam. Then using knowledge of anatomy and function to place a thumb, finger, or hand in contact with the muscle at the proper tissue depth the muscle is tensioned while the specific motion/function of that muscle is carried out either by the doctor guiding the movement or by the patient after being instructed on the appropriate movement.

As the muscle is tensioned the surrounding soft-tissues (muscles, ligaments, nerves and associated fascia) glide around with each movement pass. The result is a break in the many connective tissue adhesions (scar tissue bridges) that prevent proper movement and contribute to pain. The newly ‘freed’ structure can now move as it is intended to and carry out its correct function without compromising the surrounding tissues and nearby joint.

Rehabilitation exercise to re-educate the muscle’s, or other structure’s, function for optimal performance is often essential along with Active Release Techniques and can be the key factor in preventing a recurrence in the future.
Chiromechanics is your Active Release Techniques provider for Collingwood, Wasaga Beach, Thornbury, Meaford, Stayner, Nottawasaga, Creemore, Barrie, Midland, Owen Sound, Georgian Bay and Central Ontario