Active Release Technique (ART)

Active Release Technique (ART) is a patented, non-invasive, soft tissue treatment process that both locates and breaks down the scar tissue and adhesions which cause pain, stiffness, weakness, numbness, and physical dysfunctions associated with Repetitive Strain Injuries. ART is used both for treatment of RSI injuries, as well as for the improvement of athletic performance. ART is built upon a strong scientific foundation and is combined with years of practical application in the clinical treatment of soft-tissue injuries.

Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) is caused by repeated physical movements that cause ongoing damage to muscles, ligaments, tendons, nerves, fascia, circulatory structures, and other soft-tissues. RSI sufferers come from many occupations ranging from musicians to meat packers to computer programmers. Repetitive Strain Injury caused by cumulative trauma has become the most prevalent cause of injuries in the workplace. RSI’s account for 67% of all occupational injuries, and cost over $110 billion dollars per year in medical costs, lost wages, and productivity (United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2001). RSI’s are among the most misdiagnosed, misunderstood, and poorly treated conditions. Common therapies such as medication, physiotherapy, chiropractic treatment, massage, electrical muscle stimulation, rest, exercise, and surgery have all failed to effectively resolve repetitive strain injuries. Active Release Techniques (ART) provides a means to effectively and rapidly resolve these stressful repetitive strain injuries without surgical intervention, and allows patients to quickly return to their normal activities.

A repetitive strain injury is a soft-tissue injury in which muscles, nerves, ligaments, fascia, or tendons become irritated and inflamed, usually as a result of cumulative trauma and overuse. Unlike sprains or strains, which usually result from a single incident (called acute trauma), a repetitive strain injury develops slowly over time. Other names for these types of injuries include:

• Cumulative Trauma Disorder (CTD)

• Repetitive Motion Injury (RMI)

• Occupational Overuse Syndrome (OOS)

• Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorder (WMSD)

RSI’s can occur in any occupation that requires repetitive action and can be caused through the overuse of some part of your body, and by any combination of the following factors:

• Repetitive tasks with many small, rapid movements

• Insufficient rest time between the repetitive tasks

• Working in awkward or fixed postures for extended periods of time

• Excessive and forceful movements, used repetitively, to move loads, or to execute accelerated actions such as lifting, running, hitting, or throwing

The most common body parts affected by RSI are the fingers, hands, wrists, elbows, arms, shoulders, legs, ankles, feet, knees, back, and neck. Computer users make up a large percentage of RSI patients and frequently suffer from repetitive strain injuries to the hand, wrist, arm, shoulder, and neck. Repetitive Strain Injuries occur as a result of cumulative trauma and overuse of soft-tissues. Soft-tissues that are forced to perform the same job over and over become irritated and then inflamed. Over time, the cumulative trauma experienced through the overuse of soft-tissues can stress and reduce circulation to these soft tissues. These stresses create tiny tears in the soft-tissue, which become inflamed. The body responds to inflammation by laying down scar tissue in an attempt to stabilize the area. Once this happens, an ongoing cycle begins that worsens the condition.  The longer this cycle persists, the harder it becomes to avoid permanent soft-tissue damage. In extreme cases it can cause permanent tissue damage and disability.

Repetitive Strain Injuries account for over 67% of all occupational injuries. Statistics show that the number of patients suffering from RSI has now surpassed those suffering from back pain. With advancing technology in a society dependent on computers these numbers are anticipated to continue rising in the future. When compared to other medical procedures, ART treatments can reduce the cost of RSI treatment, residual care, and lost productivity to just one-tenth of today’s normal costs. Even better, ART is able to resolve the true cause of many of these dysfunctions, by providing more than just a symptomatic solution.

 Individuals who are at high risk for RSI include those who have occupations that:

• Combine force and repetition of the same motion, for long periods of time, especially in the fingers and hands

• Require work in awkward or unnatural positions

• Involve static work positions, while using the hands, arms, and shoulders

• Combine continuous, precise muscular movements with the above-listed factors.

 

ART can help with:

• Arthritis

• Achilles Tendonitis

• Ankle Injuries

• Back Pain/Injuries

• Bicipital Tendonitis

• Bunions & Bursitis

• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

• Compartment Syndrome

• DeQuervain’s Tenosynovitis

• Dupuytren’s Contracture

• Foot Pain & Injury

• Frozen Shoulder/Adhesive Capsulitis

• Gait Imbalances

• Golfer’s Elbow/Tennis Elbow

• Golf Injuries

• Hammer Toes

• Hand Injuries

• Headaches

• Hip pain

• Iliotibial Band Syndrome

• Impingement Syndromes

• Joint Dysfunctions

• Knee Meniscus Injuries

• Knee & Leg Pain

• Muscle Pulls or Strains

• Neck Pain

• Nerve Entrapment Syndromes

• Plantar Fascitis

• Rib Pain

• Rotator Cuff Syndrome

• Running Injuries

• Sciatica

• Shin Splints

• Thoracic Outlet Syndrome