Is Active Release Technique Right for You? by EIH

Your body has the incredible ability to heal itself—provided it’s given the proper stimulation. Active Release Technique (ART) is a surprisingly simple way to treat chronic pain without drugs or surgery. Learn more about ART to find out if this healing modality might benefit you.

What is Active Release Technique?

This noninvasive treatment option is an alternative to prescription medication and surgery. It combines movement and massage to treat chronic pain caused by problems with your muscles, ligaments, tendons, nerves, and fascia. Qualified practitioners are trained in 500 different movements designed to treat a patient’s specific anatomy with incredible precision.

Active Release Technique has been used for over 30 years to break up scar tissue, also known as adhesions. This promotes blood circulation, improves flexibility, and releases entrapped nerves for faster healing. The goal of ART is to allow your muscles and joints to glide freely without pain and stiffness.

What Does ART Treat?

Active Release Technique is used by chiropractors, physical therapists, massage therapists, and doctors to treat a wide range of chronic and acute conditions. Whether you have soft tissue injuries caused by wear and tear, overuse, or a traumatic accident, ART may be a suitable treatment for you. Examples of injuries and ailments that Active Release Technique can treat include:

Benefits of Active Release Technique

As with chiropractic care and massage therapy, you may need multiple ART treatments to experience the final results. Once dense scar tissue is broken down and released, you can expect to see these benefits:

Less muscle stiffness
Restored feeling in your fingers and toes
Improved strength and flexibility
Relief from joint pain and inflammation
Less pain during exercise and physical activity

What to Expect During an ART Treatment

Active Release Technique is a physical exam and treatment all in one. After discussing where your pain is located and what you think might have caused it, your practitioner feels around for tightness, unusual muscle movement, or rough tissue texture in the area that’s bothering you. This is the examination phase.

Once a problem is detected, the treatment begins. Your therapist manipulates the target area using the appropriate movements and precisely directed muscle tension. This releases and stretches the soft tissue to break up any adhesions contributing to your pain.

Active Release Technique is not relaxing like a massage—it can be uncomfortable to eliminate deeply embedded scar tissue. However, the chance to restore a full range of motion and participate in your favorite activities again without pain is well worth it!

Active Release Technique should only be performed by a certified provider like Effective Integrative Healthcare. If you think ART could benefit you, schedule a free consultation at one of our offices in Millersville, Crofton, or Lanham, MD to find out more about this healing method.