What is Active Release Technique (ART)?

Active Release Techniques treatment is a highly effective approach to injuries of muscles, tendons, fascia, and nerves. Specific injuries that apply are repetitive strains, adhesions, tissue hypoxia and joint dysfunction.
The goal of ART is to restore optimal range of motion and function of the soft tissue and release any entrapped nerves or blood vessels. This is accomplished through the removal of adhesions or fibrosis in the soft tissues via the application of specific manipulation. Adhesions can occur as a result of acute injury, repetitive motion, and constant pressure or tension. ART eliminates the pain and dysfunction associated with these adhesions.

Cumulative Trauma Disorder (CTD)?

Cumulative trauma disorder is the major injury problem in the workforce and the general population in this country. CTD is a group of injuries to the muscles, tendons, bones, blood vessels, fascia and/or nerves. CTD results from acute injury, repetitive injury, or a constant pressure/tension injury. All of which lead to what we term the cumulative injury cycle.
The Cumulative Injury Cycle
The cyclic nature of injury has been described for many years.

The cumulative injury cycle is self-perpetuating and as this downward spiral continues, the symptoms and syndromes of cumulative injury disorder are produced. Examples of these conditions – collectively called cumulative trauma disorders (CTD) – are:

• Carpal tunnel syndrome and other peripheral nerve entrapments
• Tennis elbow / Golfer’s elbow / Epicondylitis
• Rotator Cuff Syndrome / Frozen Shoulder
• Chronic lower back pain and dysfunction
• Sciatica
• Chronic neck pain and dysfunction
• Hyper extension/flexion injury (Whiplash)
• Headaches
• Tendinitis and other soft tissue inflammatory disorders of the hand, wrist, hip, knee, ankle
• Shin splints
• Plantar Fascitis
• TMJ
• Recurrent sprains and strains

Who provides ART??

Active Release Techniques providers treat the underlying etiology of CTD that cause symptoms of numbness, tingling, burning, and aching. Physicians, chiropractors, osteopaths, physical and occupational therapists are treating patients with ART today. Worker’s compensation organizations, health insurance providers, professional and amateur athletic programs, and world-class athletes recognize the ART system as the best choice for treating and managing soft-tissue injuries.