Active Release Techniques (ART) is a patented mobilization technique to treat and prevent damaged/restricted soft tissues such as muscles, ligaments, tendons, nerves and fascia. Treatment restores mobility and eliminates pain; used in conjunction with biomechanical analysis and other manual therapies. Only a certified ART practitioner can provide ART treatment protocols. Russell F. is a full body (upper/lower extremities and spine) certified ART practitioner who treats individuals, athletes and patients.
Over-used muscles (and other soft tissues) change in three important ways:
#1. Acute conditions – pulls, tears, collisions, etc.
#2. Accumulation of small tears (micro-trauma)
#3. Not getting enough oxygen (hypoxia)
Each of these factors causes 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. If a nerve is trapped you may feel tingling, numbness and weakness as well as experience reduced range of motion, loss of strength and pain.