What is Active Release Techniques® (ART) to Individuals, Athletes, and Patients?
ART® is a patented, state of the art soft tissue therapy system/movement based massage technique that treats problems with muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia and nerves. Headaches, back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, shin splints, shoulder pain, sciatica, plantar fasciitis, knee problems, and tennis elbow are just a few of the many conditions that can be resolved quickly and permanently with ART. These conditions all have one important thing in common: they are often a result of overused muscles. Dr. Faulkner and are full body certified Active Release Techniques providers.
HOW DO OVERUSE CONDITIONS OCCUR?
Over-used muscles (and other soft tissues) change in three important ways:
- acute conditions (pulls, tears, collisions, etc)
- accumulation of small tears (micro-trauma)
- not getting enough oxygen (hypoxia)
Each of these factors can cause your body to produce tough, dense scar tissue in the affected area. This scar tissue binds up and ties down tissues that need to move freely. As scar tissue builds up, muscles become shorter and weaker, tension on tendons causes tendonitis, and nerves can become trapped. This can cause reduced range of motion, loss of strength, and pain. If a nerve is trapped you may also feel tingling, numbness, and weakness. All of these conditions can cause reduced ranges of motion, loss of muscle strength, and ultimately pain.
we are certifed active release techniques providers
ART UPPER EXTREMITY CERTIFIED
Treatment of structures pertaining to the hands, wrists, arms, and shoulders, Dr. Faulkner is certified Active Release Techniques (ART muscle therapy) provider of the upper extremity including conditions like rotator cuff syndrome, carpal tunnel syndrome, golfer's elbow, and tennis elbow.
ART SPINE CERTIFIED
Treatment of structures pertaining to the upper, middle, and lower back, abdomen, neck, jaw, and head. Dr. Faulkner is a certified Active Release Techniques (ART muscle therapy) provider of the spine.
ART LOWER EXTREMITY CERTIFIED
Treatment of structures pertaining to the feet, ankles, legs, knees, and hips. Dr. Faulkner is a certified Active Release Techniques (ART muscle therapy) provider of the lower extremity. This includes things like plantar fasciitis, runner’s knee and hip pain.
ART Muscle Therapy
Active Release Techniques therapy is the gold standard in soft tissue therapy. ART Muscle therapy treats the fascia, muscles, ligaments, and tendons of the musculoskeletal system.
Apex Sports Medicine does not solely rely on chiropractic adjustments. Soft tissue imbalances are a catalyst that accompanies dysfunction. We believe in using a multifaceted approach when treating musculoskeletal conditions which includes Active Release Techniques. By complementing chiropractic adjustments or solely using soft tissue therapy/soft tissue mobilization, we produce fast, effective and long-lasting results for our patients.
With any soft tissue injury, there is aberrant joint motion, resulting in pain and dysfunction. Soft tissue injuries can be caused by a single traumatic event such as lifting heavy objects, or through repetitive stresses, such as running, cycling, swimming, throwing a baseball, playing volleyball, golf, or even sitting at a desk for long periods of time. When soft tissues are injured, they undergo physical and chemical changes that create inflammation, which is the number one cause of pain and altered function. This is where ART muscle therapy comes in.
The goal of our soft tissue therapy is to restore soft tissue mobilization, alleviating bio-mechanical stress and tension, allowing surrounding structures to heal. We also work to strengthen the necessary muscles through physical therapy and rehabilitation, re-training muscles and creating strength and endurance so the issue does return.
WHAT IS AN ART® TREATMENT LIKE?
Every ART® session is actually a combination of examination and treatment. The ART® provider uses his or her hands to evaluate the texture, tightness and movement of muscles, fascia, tendons, ligaments and nerves. Abnormal tissues are treated by combining precisely directed tension with very specific patient movements.
These treatment protocols - over 500 specific moves - are unique to ART®. They allow providers to identify and correct the specific problems that are affecting each individual patient. ART® is not a cookie-cutter approach.
How Does Active Release Techniques Therapy Work?
Diagnose
ART Certified Providers™ utilize a hands-on diagnostic process, assessing affected areas in order to pinpoint the damaged and inflamed tissue.
Release Muscles
Active Release Techniques therapy works by releasing muscles, ligaments, tendons, and fascia that no longer function properly due to overuse or injury.
Relieve Pain
Once the issue is located, the treatment proceeds to specific patient movements and practitioner touch to release adhesions and relieve pain.
To learn more about ART muscle therapy, visit Active Release Techniques website.