What is Active Release Technique® (ART)?

Active Release Technique® is a patented, state of the art soft tissue treatment system designed to effectively treat injuries and disorders of the muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia and nerves. Active Release Technique is the 'Gold Standard' for soft tissue treatment. 

Active Release can effectively treat soft tissue injuries and disorders in athletes and non-athletes alike.  These soft tissue conditions result from postural strain (poor posture), cumulative trauma, repetitive strain and overuse, sports injuries, and general wear and tear.  Active Release Technique can quickly reduce pain, improve function of soft tissues, and provide a quick return to activity in most cases. 

 

Who Can Benefit From Active Release Technique?

Active Release Technique is incredibly effective treatment for professional and amateur athletes, people injured in car accidents, or in the workplace, or people who just enjoy working and playing hard. 

 

Back Pain	Neck Pain	Headaches
Whiplash	Sciatica	Sports Injuries
Running Injuries	Pulled Muscles	Repetitive Stress Injury
Runner's Knee	Foot Pain	Plantar Fasciitis
Ankle Pain / Sprain	Shoulder Pain	Rotator Cuff Tendonitis
IT Band Syndrome	Shin Splints	Achilles Tendonitis
Tennis Elbow	Golfer’s Elbow	Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

 

Above are a just a small number of conditions that Active Release Technique can resolve quickly and often permanently.  The reason these conditons respond so well to Acitve Release is because they all have one important thing in common:  they result from repetitive stress and overuse of the muscles and soft tissues.  For soft tissue treatment, Active Release Technique is considered the 'Gold Standard'.

Active Release Technique has over 500 unique treatment protocols, which means an Active Release provider can fine tune treatment for each individual patient.  Active Release Technique treatment is definitely not a 'one size fits all' approach to treatment, and the results back that up.

 

How Do Overuse Injuries Occur?

Overuse injuries of the muscles and soft tissues develop in 1 of 3 ways:

1.  Acute injuries (pulls, tears, collisions, accidents, falls, etc.)

2.  Accumulation of small tears called micro-tears (micro-trauma)

3.  Not getting enough oxygen or blood to the muscles and tissues (hypoxia)

Regardless of the cause, your body's response to overuse or injury is the same:  to produce tough, dense scar tissue in the area affected by overuse or injury.  This scar tissue binds together muscles, nerves and soft tissues that need to move freely.  As scar tissue builds up, muscles become stiff and weak and nerves can become entrapped.  As muscles becomes more stiff, they put more tension on tendons increasing the risk of tendonitis.  Overuse conditions cause reduced range of motion, loss of strength, and pain.  If nerves become entrapped, you may also feel numbness, tingling and weakness.

 

What is an Active Release Technique Treatment Like?

Every Active Release® treatment session is a combination of examination and treatment.  Active Release Technique® providers use their hands to evaluate the health and function of muscles, fascia, tendons, ligaments and nerves.  Muscles and soft tissues that are injured or abnormal are treated by combining precisely directed tension with very specific patient movements. 

There are over 500 specific Active Release Technique treatment protocols, which means there are protocols for almost any soft tissue injury or conditon.  Active Release Technique is incredibly versatile and can be tailored for the specific needs of the individual.  Active Release® is not a cookie-cutter approach.

 

Do All Chiropractors Use Active Release Technique?

Currently, only a small percentage of Chiropractors have attained the ART® Provider certification. Active Release Technique® training is extensive, and only certified ART® providers can practice Active Release Technique®. This ensures you can find the same consistent, quality care no matter where you travel.

 

Dr. Keith McGahey - Active Release Technique in Bellevue, WA

If you’re interested in learning more about how Active Release Technique® can help your particular injury or conditon, please consider scheduling a consultation with Bellevue Chiropractor Dr. Keith McGahey.  His Chiropractic clinic, Eastside Chiropractic Group, is located in downtown Bellevue near Overlake Hospital. Open Saturdays, same day appointments are available, and consultations are ALWAYS FREE!  Call: (425) 455-2711.