Active Release Techniquesâ (ART) is a new and highly effective treatment for most types of soft tissue injury, whether from trauma, repetitive motion, or athletics.  Almost anyone can benefit from ARTâ treatment, whether they are extremely active, or sit at a desk all day.  Many daily activities cause repetitive stress and lead to the formation of scar tissue and adhesions, hindering movement and function of soft tissues, (muscles, ligaments, tendons and nerves).  This creates symptoms of pain, decreased range of motion, numbness, tingling, and weakness. 

The core of the treatment is locating scar tissue, then applying tension to the scar tissue while lengthening the muscles, tendons, and ligaments.  ARTâ returns tissue to it's correct tension, texture, movement and function; thus eliminating pain and associated symptoms.  ARTâ and chiropractic manipulation powerfully compliment each other in many cases.  Below, you will find some commonly asked questions about Active Release Techniquesâ.

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How does scar tissue become detrimental to us?
What is treatment like?
How long do treatments take?
When can I expect results?
Is this similar to other soft tissue treatments?
How is ARTâ different from deep massage therapy?
What are the chances of the problem returning after ARTâ therapy?
Can I benefit from ARTâ even if I've been treated by other doctors?
What if my doctor recommends surgery?
Why haven't I heard of ARTâ before?
Common Conditions Treated with ARTâ

How do adhesions (scar tissue) become detrimental to us?
Most of us think of scar tissue as something that develops only after a cut, strain, tear, or a crushing injury and occurs only at the site of injury.  However, there are much more common ways that scar tissues can develop.  Stress, poor posture, and repetitive motions like typing or driving, are all examples of things that can cause muscles to tighten up, leading to adhesions.  When muscles tighten up for an extended time, the oxygen supply to the muscle is significantly decreased.  When the muscle tissue does not get enough oxygen, the resulting condition is called hypoxia.  Hypoxia leads to scar tissue development because some of our muscle cells and connective tissue cells die and stimulate fibrosis; the process that creates scar tissue and adhesions.    

Before scarring, the tissue is healthy, smooth, and slippery, allowing the muscles, nerves, ligaments, and tendons to move freely and function properly.  After the tissue is scarred with adhesions, the normal motion is altered and restricted, causing altered muscle and joint motion.  This results in symptoms of pain, stiffness, weakness, and decreased range of motion.  Nerves can also become adhered to the soft tissue, (muscle, tendon, or ligaments), which can lead to numbness, tingling, or radiating pain.  Carpal tunnel syndrome or sciatica, (radiating leg pain), can be examples of this.     top

What is treatment like?
ARTâ is not a magic bullet or cure-all.  Active Release Techniquesâ is non-invasive, very safe, has virtually no side effects and comes with a record of very good results.  Especially in the beginning, treatments can be uncomfortable during the movement phases, (depending on the severity of the condition and the patient's pain tolerance).  The discomfort is temporary, however, and subsides almost immediately after the treatment.  It is common to feel a duplication of your symptoms during the treatment, a good indication that the problem has been identified.     top

How long do treatments take?
The initial consultation, history, examination and treatment will require approximately 30 minutes with the doctor.  Follow-up treatments take about seven to ten minutes.     top

When can I expect results?
In most cases, following the first treatment, a patient will experience a positive result.  This may be an increase in range of motion, less pain, increased muscle strength, or decreased numbness and tingling.     top

Is this similar to other soft tissue treatments like trigger point therapy, ischemic compression, rolfing, etc?
NO.  ARTâ is very different from any other soft tissue, bodywork, massage, or other therapy.  ARTâ is very specific and the results achieved utilizing this technique are much more predictable.    top

How is ARTâ different from deep massage therapy?
They may look and sound similar, but the procedures are actually very different, as are the results they produce.  There are many types of massage.  General massage promotes relaxation and circulation.  Neuromuscular massage gets more specific, but it does not fix the soft tissue adhesions.  ARTâ is a protocol specific for the correction of adhesions and scar tissue.  Anyone who has had ARTâ can tell you that it is not a massage.       top

What are the chances of my problem returning after ARTâ therapy?
If the patient is advised as to any lifestyle modifications and follows through with the prescribed exercises, the likelihood of the condition recurring is very low.  Dr. Leahy reported a recurrence rate of only 4% in his carpal tunnel study, of which half (2%) had not followed through with their exercises.       top

Can I benefit from ARTâ even if I've already been evaluated and treated by other doctors and specialists?
Only a provider experienced and trained in ARTâ can determine if you might benefit from this treatment.  Many cases seen in the office are patients who have been treated, unsuccessfully, by other health care providers.  Most of these patients are happily surprised when they experience an improvement in their condition after one or two treatments.      top

What if my doctor recommends surgery?
There are cases where surgery might be inevitable.  Since ARTâ is non-invasive and has no side effects, it is practical to try ARTâ first.  One should know within a couple of treatments if ARTâ is right for them.      top

Why haven't I heard of ARTâ before?
ARTâ has been known throughout the elite and professional sports world for years as being an excellent tool for rehabilitation and athletic performance enhancement.  In fact, a lot of well known athletes have publicly credited ARTâ with helping them achieve a higher level of performance and faster healing.  Outside of the sports world, there have not been enough people trained in ART to make a big impact.  Proficiency at ARTâ takes time to develop and a substantial commitment of time, effort, and resources to become a provider.  There is a small, but growing, number of providers that have been personally trained and credentialed by Dr. Leahy, the developer of the technique.  For a list of ARTâ providers and their credentials, you can call (719) 473-7000 or go to the ARTâ website by clicking here.    top