We all know that getting injured is no fun! Fortunately, there are ways to deal with them and reduce pain and inflammation. One such way is the Active Release Technique (ART). Read on if you want to know what it is or how it’s performed!
To put it lightly, the Active Release Technique works by using a doctor of chiropractic’s hands to smooth out the soft tissue surrounding muscles. It has been proven effective for treating various conditions, including tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, shoulder impingement syndrome, and carpal tunnel syndrome. So let’s dive into the Active Release Technique!
How Does the Active Release Technique Work?
The Active Release Technique (ART) is a patented method developed by chiropractor Dr. Tim Leahy that uses a technique known as “specific cross-fiber gliding” to make soft tissue more pliable and less painful.
Most chiropractic doctors treat muscles, tendons, and ligaments in your body, while Active Release Technique treats fascia. Your fascia is the thin layer of connective tissue underneath your skin that surrounds and protects your muscles, organs, nerves, and bones. An overabundance of adhesion or inflammation can make it restricting. Active Release Technique can identify this fascial restriction quickly with gentle pressure, resulting in pain reduction.
The Active Release Technique treats the fascial restrictions found in the deeper layers of the body. Almost any type of injury can be treated with this technique, including carpal tunnel syndrome, plantar fasciitis, shoulder tendonitis, and other conditions typically treated by physical therapists and orthopedists. It involves repetitive motions that stimulate the tissue to loosen tightness and adhesions to move more freely. Weak or inactive muscles are typically not treated with the Active Release Technique since they typically do not have adhesions or lesions.
When it comes to Active Release Technique, the most important thing to remember is that it targets the most usual sources of pain: scar tissue, trigger points, and restricted mobility.
The Injuries You Can Treat with the Active Release Technique
Several negative changes to muscle tissue can occur due to trauma, including swelling, fibrosis, and adhesions. Active Release Technique involves the clinician applying compression, tensile, and shear forces to address repetitive strain injuries, cumulative trauma injuries, and chronic tension lesions.
Now that you know what Active Release Technique is and how it works, let’s talk about the injuries that can be treated with Active Release Technique! Below are a few of the most common types.
Back and Neck Pain
Active Release Technique is particularly effective for neck and back pain. In one study, chiropractors treated individuals with ART for their neck pain, shoulder pain, and low back pain, which improved the range of motion in the entire spine. The results were present even six months after receiving treatment!
Headaches
Active Release Technique has shown promise for treating chronic headaches. Headaches are often caused by trigger points that form in the upper trapezius muscles, which push on nerves and cause pain to radiate into the head. While this technique is not typically used long-term due to its invasiveness, it can reduce symptoms while other treatments work to treat the root of the issue.
Knee Injuries
Knee injuries have also been successfully treated by Active Release Technique, including conditions that athletes often experience. One of the most common examples is patellar tendonitis, which causes pain around the kneecap. This condition can be treated using Active Release Techniques explicitly applied to this area.
Shoulder Pain
Shoulder injuries are the most common injuries treated with the Active Release Technique, particularly for sports. A study on sixty-one individuals who had shoulder pain showed that post-treatment mobility was increased, and up to 30% of participants noted improvement in their pain levels.
Tennis and Golfer’s Elbow
Tendonitis caused by overuse is another common injury treatable with Active Release Technique. A study following the treatment of individuals with tennis and golfer’s elbow at a chiropractic clinic found an improved range of motion, pain levels, and grip strength after receiving ART treatments 3-5 times per week for several months.
Plantar Fasciitis
One of the most common injuries treated with the Active Release Technique is plantar fasciitis. This condition occurs when the long band of tissue called the plantar fascia becomes inflamed and irritated along the bottom of your foot and heel.
We’re Looking Forward to Helping You at Our Chiropractic Offices in NJ!
At the Bergen Chiropractic and Sports Rehabilitation Center, our chiropractic team, led by Dr. Gregory Doerr, follows the highest and most professional medical standards to provide superior chiropractic help. After all, our mission is to provide unparalleled patient care and services in a comfortable healing atmosphere. Contact us to learn more about our chiropractic services! Our chiropractic offices in Cliffside Park, NJ, and Hackensack, NJ, are ready to welcome you!
