Active release techniques are a type of soft tissue therapy that helps relieve tight muscles and muscular adhesion’s, greatly reducing joint stress or muscular pains.
Pain and tightness is usually result of overused muscles, which contribute to scar tissue formation, tears, pulls, strains and inflammation. This natural treatment targets connective tissues, major muscle groups, tendons and ligaments. Active release technique restores normal mobility between muscular tissue and nerves.
The patient performs active motion of a body part while the practitioner applies a specific tension at the site of tissue dysfunction. This has several goals:
- Restore normal contractile and elastic properties to the muscles
- Restore normal gliding mechanics between adjacent structures
- Release entrapped nerves
The types of conditions successfully treated with ART® are very diverse. Some of the more common conditions are:
- Carpal tunnel and other peripheral nerve entrapment’s
- Spinal pain and dysfunction
- Tendonitis and other soft tissue inflammatory disorders of the hand, wrist, elbow, shoulder, hip, knee, ankle, and foot
- Sciatica, TMJ, recurrent sprains and strains
Decrease joint stress and muscle tension with the Active Release Techniques
Active Release Techniques incorporates similar techniques to deep tissue massage and myofascial release because it works by manipulating soft tissue, thereby reducing stress placed on joints and nerves. But every technique differs and depending on the person, they may respond better to various treatments. Many patients begin to feel relief just after a few sessions, as the inflammation and tension in the body begins to decrease.
The goal of ART® is to restore optimal texture, 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 protocols. 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.
Heather Beninato has been a certified Active Release Techniques Provider for the past 10 years
Only a credentialed ART® provider can ascertain whether ART® might prove beneficial for your condition. To become proficient in ART®, it takes approximately two years of working with patients once a provider has taken the courses and passed the required examinations. Providers must attend annual update seminars to maintain their credentialed status and keep current of any new protocols and research.