Active Spine & Sport Therapy - Active Release Techniques (ART)

What is ART?

Active Release Techniques Soft Tissue treatment (ART) is a manual therapy administered by trained professionals to certain soft tissue structures of the body. The ART soft tissue management system is based on scientific evidence that muscles, nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue develop adhesions within and between them as a result of various injuries that include: acute (sudden injury), cumulative (chronic injury) and pressure (due to poor posture). These adhesions cause the motion of muscles or joints to be altered, resulting in a wide variety of symptoms including pain, weakness and reduced range of motion, numbness and tingling.

Currently there is no division of health care which specializes in the treatment of soft tissue related disorders. There isn't even a name for a doctor who specializes in the treatment of muscle related and soft tissue disorders...that was until ART soft tissue treatment was invented. There is now hope for many who have visited every health professional but were told to just live with the pain.

What is the history of ART?

Michael Leahy, D.C., currently practicing in Colorado Springs, Colorado started developing ART in 1984. Prior to practicing chiropractic, Dr. Leahy was an aeronautical engineer with the US Air Force. This engineering background allowed Dr. Leahy to approach soft tissue injuries from a new perspective, evolving into ART. Dr. Leahy is now widely regarded as a top soft tissue expert in the United States and the world.

What is treatment like?

After a diagnosis has been reached based on a history and examination, treatment can be rendered. Since soft tissue injuries created by scar tissue cannot be detected by a machine (such as X-ray or MRI), or by any orthopedic tests, ART is itself a diagnostic tool. The practitioner can determine where the adhesions are, and how severe the soft tissue injury is, simply by his/her touch.

ART is generally performed with a direct contact from the doctor to the patient's skin. The practitioner will find the area to be worked on and either have the patient actively move a body part or passively move the body part for the patient. The practitioner’s contact, coupled with the movement of the patient, allows the adhesions to separate.

The 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.

Does ART hurt?

ART goes right after the sights of adhesion in order to break up the scar tissue creating the pain and dysfunction. Since these sights are very sensitive to begin with, ART may create some discomfort described by many patients as a "good hurt". However, pressure is never applied beyond the patient’s tolerance.

How long does treatment take?

Each patient is different. On average, between 2-6 visits (each lasting about 15 - 30 minutes) are required for correction of soft tissue problems. Factors that affect this range include the severity of the problem, the patient’s willingness to participate in their treatment and the patient’s overall health status. Patients must take an active role in their recovery to help reduce the chances of reoccurrence. This may involve strengthening a certain tissue or changing certain activities.

ART is considered one of the most effective and successful therapies for soft tissue injuries. However, like all other techniques ART can’t fix everything. If significant improvement is not seen during the course of treatment, other treatments or referrals will be considered to fully resolve your injury. We do not encourage ongoing treatments if no improvement is seen within several visits.

Who can benefit from ART?

The quick answer to this is anyone who is in pain due to a soft tissue injury. ART is used in a clinical setting on Professional and Olympic athletes, office workers, laborers, housewives, youth athletes, as well as many others. What these people all have in common is altered movement patterns, but their mechanism or cause is different. ART effectively treats muscles, tendons and ligaments throughout the body that have become congested with scar tissue by freeing up their ability to function and thereby reducing pain.

ART is also effective at treating peripheral nerve entrapments where a nerve has become entangled by scar tissue and has tension or pressure exerted during certain positions or movements. Through a provider’s extensive training, they are taught where the nerves are most likely entrapped and how best to reduce the adhesions. This gives individuals who suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome and other peripheral nerve entrapments a quick and easy solution to their complaints.

Conservative treatments such as ART should be explored before a person has decided they cannot be helped for their given condition. You don’t have to live with pain! If it’s a soft tissue structure that is causing your pain, it can most likely be fixed.

Who can provide ART?

Only those certified in Active Release Techniques can effectively render treatment. Unfortunately, there are some individuals who claim they provide ART but don’t actually get the true training needed to provide safe and effective treatment.

How does ART improve performance?

Performance of any task such as golfing, typing, walking or running can be improved significantly with ART by restoring proper muscle function and movement to allow the body to perform at its most efficient level. Adhesions create drag and tension which requires more energy and effort to accomplish a desired movement. Reaction times can also be improved as muscle function is improved.

Active Release Techniques (ART) Videos

Click here to watch Running legend Alberto Salazar Praise ART

ART® Corporate Solutions

ART® Corporate Solutions, Inc. offers a complete soft tissue management system for companies striving to reduce worker's compensation costs and recordable injury rates in the area of repetitive strain and strain/sprain injuries (MSD's). ART Corporate Solutions utilizes the highest level Active Release Techniques® providers throughout North America to work with private corporations, insurance carriers, and professional sports teams, to help the employee achieve a pain free (or greatly improved) level as quickly as possible at a significantly reduced cost. ART is recognized by OSHA and the department of labor as a wellness, prevention, or first aid measure.

ART® Corporate Solutions Program

ART® Corporate Solutions Results

ART® Corporate Solutions Testimonials

ART Testimonials

“My injury left me with no chance of ever playing hockey again.  Now, after being treated with ART and a proper rehabilitation program, I have completely regained my career in hockey.”
- Gary Roberts, NHL Forward

“Professional football is a tough sport. I prepare for each game using ART. The benefit to me? Just ask the guys I play against.”
- Bill Romanowski, NFL Linebacker

“All the doctors said I needed surgery for impingement syndrome in both shoulders. After one treatment, I rebooked all my competitions and trained to be in the best shape of my life.”
- Milos Sarcev, 1989 Mr. Universe

“I suffered from plantar fasciitis. I began using ART in 1998 and found something that
actually helped. It works quickly and effectively."
- Marla Runyan, 5000M Champion

“ART is nothing short of amazing. I don't think there's an athlete anywhere who couldn't benefit from it.”
- Runners World 2004