Active Release Techniques® (ART®) is a hands-on touch therapy administered by trained professionals to assess and treat soft-tissue injuries. Soft tissue refers primarily to muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia, and nerves. Specific injuries that a practitioner will address are repetitive strains, adhesions, tissue hypoxia, and joint dysfunction. Individually or together these can cause a range of symptoms including pain, weakness, reduced range of motion, and neuropathy.
ART® was created by Dr. Michael Leahy, D.C., as he saw a need in his work as a chiropractor to have a more effective soft tissue technique to utilize with his patients. Today, ART® is regarded as the gold standard in soft tissue techniques. ART® has affiliations to Ironman® as well as most major professional sporting team. Dr. Leahy is the team chiropractor and ART® provider for the Denver Broncos.
The approach of an ART® treatment, like most problem solving processes, first determines where the problem is. Is the client’s issue in the muscle that is activated in a range of motion? Is the issue in the muscle on the opposite side of the joint or in the connective tissue of the joint itself? Is there weakness and pain due to an entrapment of a nerve? Using this diagnostic approach, a practitioner will begin work directly with their contact on the adhesion to break it down while using an active client motion and stretch. Not only is the active client motion beneficial to control the intensity of the stretch, but also neurologically works to assist in allowing the area being worked on to release faster.
