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Understanding Active Release Technique

Understanding Active Release Technique

Active Release Technique, abbreviated as ART, is a state-of-the-art movement based technique, which is used to treat problems in the tendons, ligaments, muscles, nerves, and fascia. It was developed by the renowned Dr. Michael Leahy when he noticed how his patients had problems related to the changes in soft tissues. Hence, the technique’s primary goal is to re-establish optimum motion between fascia and muscles, while countering fibrous adhesions.

The technique is mostly used for individuals suffering from chronic, acute, repetitive, and overuse strain injuries, and all cases involving post-operative problems. Since ART’s inception, it has rapidly grown in popularity and is accepted as a viable medical treatment. Its application, especially for post-operative cases is rapidly growing due to its effectiveness in healing scar tissue development.

Who Stands to Benefit from Active Release Technique

Anyone suffering from problems related to the tissue or muscles can benefit from ART. For example, headaches, back related pains, carpal tunnel syndrome, shoulder pain, knee problems, shin splints, sciatica, tennis elbow, and plantar null. These are just a few examples that can be resolved through ART and quite often permanently. All these conditions have one single factor in common, that is the overuse of muscles. Hence, all forms of injuries or conditions due to overuse would benefit from ART.

Differentiating Factor for ART

Active Release Technique, unlike other soft tissue techniques, induces movement of the patient’s muscles to create controlled tension on the scar tissue. An ART treatment usually lasts a few sessions and every session combines an examination phase, which is followed by treatment based on the progress made or the damage. ART allows the practitioner to treat specific muscles, by targeting the exact area of the scar within a specific tissue. ART offers over 500 different specific protocols that allows the treatment of different affected areas on the body.

Scar Tissues and Associated Problems

When tissues in the body are injured, the body uses dense fibrous material, which binds and connects the injured tissue, hence, the formation of scar tissue. The problem occurs when the body is creating scaring tissue to heal the injured tissue, but in the process binds the surrounding structure as well, this is something that happens quite often in post-surgery healing.

The problem can be further exacerbated when a nerve runs through the area where the scar tissue is formed, causing the nerve to be entrapped, pulled or pinched, causing the patient to experience pain. This process can also limit the motion of the muscles, causing them to overwork to compensate for the continuous restriction, which also causes pain or discomfort.

Repetitive Stress or Overuse Causing Scar Tissues

Repetitive stress on a particular muscle increases the tension on the tissues. When continuous tension is applied, it reduces the supply of blood, which causes the body to create adhesions. ART has proven to be the most effective technique in repetitive stress injuries. Following are some examples of repetitive stress injuries, dysfunctional ergonomics at work place, poor posture, athletic conditioning and improper form during exercise.

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Reviews By Our Satisfied Patients

  • "Dr. Shaun McClenny was very helpfull with helping me understand my injuries. Each visit I noticed an improvement. I will definitely continue to visit Dr. McClenny if needed in the future."
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