Active Release Technique (ART)
What is ART?
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.
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.
My experience with ART.
Being that I am already certified in Clinical Sports Therapy and Kinesio Taping, I was looking for another tool to add to my toolbox in the fight against injury. ART had been requested at some of our triathlon events but no one on our team was certified in it so I began studying what it was about and if it was effective.
First glance, it is a very expensive certification (over $10,000) but would encompass not just muscles but also ligaments, joints, and nerves. I have to complete the Upper, Lower, and Torso(Spine) class to become Master ART Certified and then need to complete an ART CE course each year after to remain certified. It appeared to have the accountability factor in place with regards to certification. I also discovered that 75% of all Professional Sports Teams in the US have an ART Therapist on staff. That is what finally sold me!
I took the plunge in September 2008 with the Upper Extremity class. Since then most of what I do revolves around ART. I have found for those issues that are not getting better with normal Sports or Deep Tissue Therapy respond very favorably with ART. I am now certified to treat the entire body.
Source: http://www.activerelease.com/index.asp
