Understanding Active Release Technique
ART is a special way to treat injuries. It helps with soft tissues in your body.
Related glossary terms: Soft Tissue Therapy, Myofascial Release, Chiropractic Adjustment.
Soft tissues are muscles, tendons. And ligaments. They also include nerves and fascia.
Fascia is tissue around muscles and organs. Over time, these tissues can get hurt.
They may form scar tissue. This is called an adhesion.
Adhesions happen from injury or too much use. They can make you stiff and sore.
They may press on nerves or stop blood flow. ART finds and breaks up these adhesions.
This helps tissues work right again. It also eases pain.
Massage helps you relax. It works on tight muscles too.
But ART is different. It targets one problem spot.
The provider uses their hands. They press hard on the sore area.
While pressing, you move in a certain way. This helps loosen stuck tissues.
It also helps blood flow better. That helps you heal faster.
ART works well for overuse injuries. These include carpal tunnel and plantar fasciitis.
It also helps with shoulder pain. It can treat sprains and strains too.
How Active Release Technique Works?
First, the provider checks how you move. They look at your posture and pain spots.
They find which tissues are hurt. Then they press on the sore spot.
While pressing, they guide your movement. This helps stretch the tissue.
It breaks up the stuck fibers. The tissue can move freely again.
Say your hamstring is tight. The provider presses on the sore spot.
They ask you to straighten your leg. This stretches the tight fibers.
Each session lasts 10 to 15 minutes. You may feel better right away.
But bad or old problems need more sessions. You'll see lasting results over time.
ART doesn't fit everyone the same way. Each session is made just for you.
The provider changes pressure and moves. They do this based on how your body responds.
This makes ART work for many problems. It helps with sports injuries and work strains.
It's often used with other treatments. These may include chiropractic care or exercises.
Why Active Release Technique Matters?
Soft tissue injuries hurt. They can make daily life hard.
They limit how well you move. They can cause pain that won't go away.
If not treated, they get worse. You may lose more movement over time.
You could also get hurt again. For example, tight neck muscles cause headaches.
They can press on nerves too. Tight legs can change how you walk.
This can make you fall or hurt your joints. ART fixes these problems at the source.
It helps you move better. It also stops long-term issues.
ART helps you heal faster. It breaks up scar tissue.
This helps blood flow better. That speeds up healing.
This is great for athletes. It helps workers with tough jobs too.
It helps anyone healing from an injury. ART may keep you from needing surgery.
It can also cut down on medicine use. This makes it a cheap way to ease pain.
When Active Release Technique Matters Most?
ART helps people with pain or stiffness. It helps those who can't move well.
It works for soft tissue injuries. It also helps with overuse problems.
Here are times ART may help:
- Repetitive strain injuries, like carpal tunnel or tennis elbow.
- Sports injuries, like runner’s knee or shin splints.
- Work injuries from sitting, typing. Or lifting too much.
- After surgery, when scar tissue limits movement.
- Long-term pain, like plantar fasciitis or neck pain.
ART can stop injuries too. It helps athletes and workers who do the same moves.
It fixes small problems before they get big. This keeps you flexible and safe.
ART is good if other treatments don't work. It's more focused than rest or massage.
In Savannah, GA, many people are active. They play sports or work outside.
ART can help with these injuries. Chiropractors trained in ART can help you heal.
You'll get back to daily life faster. You'll have less pain and move better too.
