The Benefits of Active Release Technique

Posted by Barry Harpur on January 6th, 2016

Active Release Technique or ART is a state-of-the-art soft tissue treatment system and movement-based technique designed to help treat muscle problems as well as issues with the tendons, ligaments, nerves, and fascia. The technique can also benefit patients suffering from headaches, back pain, TMJ, sciatica, carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis elbow, shoulder pain, tendonitis, knee problems, shin splints, plantar fasciitis, soft tissue inflammation, and other inflammatory problems of the joints. These conditions are commonly caused by overused and strained muscles, which are exactly what active release technique addresses.

ART is used to treat conditions that occur due to the formation of scar tissues or adhesions in strained or overused muscles. According to practitioners of ART, the muscles tend to become weaker and shorter when these adhesions accumulate, resulting in altered range of motion not only in the muscles, but also in the joints. This is also largely due to nerve compression. The combination of these conditions reduces blood supply to the tissues, which ultimately results in pain and poor flexibility or mobility. It is ART's aim to reestablish smooth movement of the tissues and decompress/release trapped blood vessels and nerves, thus normalizing and improving blood flow.

In ART, the practitioner uses trained hands to assess the mobility, texture, and tightness of soft tissues in problem areas. By using hand pressure, he or she will try to remove and break fibrous adhesions down with the help of stretching motions, following the direction of venous and lymphatic flows. In some cases, the chiropractor may also go against these natural flows to address the problem.

Like other soft tissue treatment forms, the initial levels of ART involves assisted movement of the patient's tissue (by the osteopath). The succeeding levels require the patient to actively and vigorously move the affected tissue in a prescribed manner while the therapist applies tension or pressure to a specific area. Patient involvement is one of the unique advantages of ART because it is believed that patients who actively participate in the betterment of their own health experience better results.

While ART offers a world of benefits, there is a right and wrong time to use this treatment. The therapy, for one, is not advised in patients experiencing blunt trauma and active inflammation, as techniques might worsen the case. Otherwise, there aren't any significant contraindications for the treatment and it can be used freely and safely, provided that treatment is restricted to alternating days.

About the Company:

Kinesis Clinic based in the Guildford town centre provide the highest quality of osteopathic and injury rehabilitation services. They specialise in sports injuries, postsurgery rehabilitation, work related injuries and offer many more treatments. The service offered by them includes osteopathy, injury prevention, movement assessment & training, dry acupuncture needing, etc.