What is Active Release Techniques (ART)? Watch this video below as Dr. P. Michael Leahy, founder of ART explains:
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.
How do overuse conditions occur?
Over-used muscles (and other soft tissues) change in three important ways:
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.
- acute conditions (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.
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.
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.3D Spine Simulator
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