Man getting active release treatment, Active release therapy, soft tissue, myofascial release, manual therapy, soft tissue therapy, muscle therapy, muscle release

active Release Therapy®

ART® is a highly effective soft tissue treatment that is extremely popular with athletes in North America. When muscles and connective tissues are injured or overused, scar tissue (fibrosis) can form that ‘glue’ muscles together. This can reduce a joints range of motion, decrease strength and endurance, as well as cause pain and stiffness. In some cases, nerves can be affected as well. When treated with ART®, the practitioner will identify, isolate and treat the affected areas to restore movement of muscles, joints and nerves.

Adhesions and scar tissue can occur due to soft tissue injuries (e.g. build-up of small tears, acute pulls and tears, or due to a lack of oxygen). Breaking up these adhesions can restore blood flow and promote faster healing.

 Usually the body is very good at getting rid of scar tissue however, in some cases people can build up large amounts over time. ART® has shown to be highly effective in breaking these adhesions down.

 

What is scar tissue?

Scar tissue is a type of fibrous adhesion (fibrosis) made up of type I collagen fibres. Did you know that 90% of all musculoskeletal dysfunctions are due to scar tissue?

 

Three main causes of scar tissue

  1. Trauma: sprains, strains, tears and ruptures.

  2. Overuse: sustained poor posture or repetitive strain type injuries.

  3. Disuse: sedentary lifestyle, recovery after surgery or casting.

What conditions benefit from ART®?

ART® is a very effective treatment for various conditions and injuries however, the most common ones are:

  • Low back pain

  • Neck pain

  • Shoulder pain

  • Plantar fasciitis

  • Tennis elbow

  • Golfer elbow

  • Sciatic nerve pain

  • Carpal tunnel syndrome

  • Tensions headaches

  • Ankle sprains

Do I need ART®?

You do not need to be an athlete to benefit from ART®. It can be used on almost anyone (see list of contraindications) and is not limited to the treatment of injuries or scar tissue. Some people get ART® treatments just to feel good or to further optimise how their body functions. If you have any of the following symptoms, there is a chance that you have an accumulation of scar tissue, which could benefit from this form of treatment:

  • Stiffness (e.g. back, neck, elbow)

  • Decreased flexibility and/or range of motion

  • Loss of strength

  • Pain when exercising

  • Pain, numbness and/or tingling in your arms and/or fingers

  • Pain on the sole of your foot (near the heel)

Who should not receive ART® treatment (contraindications)?

  • Embolism or Thrombus

  • Connective tissue disease (E.g. osteomyelitis)

  • Abscess on teeth (no mouth work)

  • Aneurysm

  • Bone fractures or acute soft tissue injuries: wait for full healing (6 weeks - 3 months)

  • Cortisone injections – only need to avoid the injected area (wait 6 weeks)

  • Feverish clients

  • Hemophiliacs

  • Hodgkin's disease (cancer of lymph system)

  • Infectious conditions (with some exceptions, like HIV: get medical supervision)

  • Leukemia

  • Phlebitis

  • Recent scar tissue (including regular or plastic surgeries): no deep work on this area until scarring process is complete (usually at least 6 weeks)

 

What does the treatment look like?

Your therapist will locate dysfunctional areas by manually examining the soft tissues at the site where the pain occurs. He will then apply pressure to the affected tissues while the patient simultaneously moves body parts to assist with the release. Applying pressure to affected areas can be uncomfortable but your practitioner will always work to your tolerance, the results are worth it! Generally, some form of improvement is seen instantaneously (increased strength, range of motion), however, most people require several treatments to fully resolve a long-standing issue.  

Every ART® session is actually a combination of examination and treatment. ART® practitioners use their 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. There are over 500 treatment protocols – unique to ART®. It allows practitioners to identify and correct the specific problems that are affecting each individual patient. 

 

Why chose us?

Adam is one of the most experienced ART® providers in Australia. ART® is a difficult technique to master, it takes years to become proficient at. Adam has been using ART® for over 15 years and has attended several ART® courses over that period to advance his knowledge and skills. Adam was an elite athlete and represented Canada as a junior in decathlon, so he understands an athlete’s perspective and how even little injuries can affect performance.

For more information regarding ART® please refer to our FAQ section of the website.