Active Release Technique® (ART)

What is Active Release Technique (ART®)?

The Active Release Techniques Soft-Tissue Management System, also known as ART®, is a highly successful approach to injuries of soft tissue designed in 1985, by P. Michael Leahy, DC, CCSP. During the course of training, athletes may develop adhesions (scar tissue) from injury or repetitive strain. These adhesions may result in poor circulation, neurological symptoms (e.g. tingling/numbness/pain), tension, weakness, and/or reduced flexibility. ART is used to free up these adhesions, allowing the tissue to return to its normal function.

What is an ART treatment like?

First, the therapist will identify what type of injury you have (ex. tear, adhesion or scar, inflammation, etc.) The second step is to determine specific soft tissue structures (ex. muscles, ligaments, tendons, nerves, etc) involved in the injury. Once the therapist has determined exactly which tissue is involved and what injury has occurred, the treatment begins.

There are numerous ART treatment protocols that the provider can use to specifically correct the individual's injury. The therapist finds the abnormal tissue and instructs the patient to move the affected structure in a specific way while the therapist is treating the tissue involved. The treatment may involve breaking up adhesions, forcing layers to properly slide or separating stuck nerves from surrounding tissue. ART may be uncomfortable during treatment but pain subsides quickly and is often referred to as "hurts good". You should see major improvements to an injury within the first or second treatment.

When should an athlete receive ART treatments?

An integral part of any athlete's program should include measures to prevent injury. When injuries occur, athletes need to find ways to get themselves back to training as quickly as possible to maintain the fitness level that they worked so hard to achieve.

The therapist and athlete should both be aware of what works best for the athlete's training program. With ART, it may be appropriate to train low intensity/volume immediately after a treatment to retrain muscles freed from tension and adhesions. However, it is typically not recommended to do a high intensity/volume workout, which may re-aggravate the involved structures.

ART treatments are typically once or twice weekly during injury rehabilitation, and then decrease in frequency with healing progression. The therapist, athlete, and coach or personal trainer could review training plans as a team to determine what would best facilitate the athlete in injury prevention or rehabilitation.

Other conditions treated by ART

People of all ages and conditions can benefit from ART® as it is widely used to treat many conditions, including:

• Musculoskeletal conditions e.g. muscle spasms, tendonitis, sprains and strains
• Repetitive strain injuries (a.k.a. Accumulative Trauma Disorder) e.g. rotator cuff tendonitis
• Stress
• Low back pain
• Headaches and migraines
• Neck and shoulder tension and pain
• Adhesive capsulitis (a.k.a. frozen shoulder)
• Joint pain, arthritic conditions
• Neurological deficits and pain e.g. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Jaw pain e.g. TMJ Dysfunction

Looking for more ART information?

Refer to the ART website, www.activerelease.com for further details including locating an ART service provider in your area.