What is Active Release and how can it help me future proof my body?
When I discovered Active Release, I was a young college student with an acute ankle sprain that just would not heal. Every time I played tennis, or tried to run, the ankle would swell up so painfully. Even when I worked as a server, I would end the night with an ice pack on my ankle.
That’s when I was told about Active Release or “ART”. I had no idea what I was walking into for my first appointment. Very quickly I found out that this slightly painful treatment was HIGHLY effective for my acute injury. After half an hour of being slightly uncomfortable as my tissue was worked on throughout my ankle and shin, I left being able to walk straight and with minimal pain.
It was after this that I decided to go into chiropractic and then become full body certified in ART.
So what is ART?
Active Release Technique (ART) is a hands-on, movement-based therapy designed to alleviate soft tissue tension, break down adhesions, and restore optimal function to muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia, and nerves. At Well Co. Chiropractic in Sarasota, FL, Dr. Sandy Arthur (that’s me!) integrates ART into personalized treatment plans to address a variety of musculoskeletal issues, aiming to help patients return to their daily activities pain-free.
It works by targeting painful tissue with specific pressure combined with patient movements, the technique targets and breaks down scar tissue and adhesions that can cause pain, stiffness, and limited range of motion. This process promotes increased blood flow, reduces inflammation, and facilitates faster healing.
Take a look at this chart! You’ll see that nerves and muscles are quicker to heal and adapt better to injury than our “white tissue” - fascia, ligaments, tendons and cartilage. This is why it’s so important to improve the blood flow and decrease inflammation in a chronically injured area.
Conditions Treated with ART
ART is effective in treating a wide range of conditions, including:
Chronic neck and back pain
Sciatica
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Tension headaches
Plantar fasciitis
Tennis elbow
Shoulder impingements and frozen shoulder
Shin splints
Repetitive strain injuries
Benefits of ART
Patient may experience:
Improved flexibility and range of motion
Reduced pain and muscle tension
Enhanced athletic performance
Faster recovery from injuries
Prevention of future injuries
Non-invasive treatment without the need for medications
and best of all, QUICK treatments.
Reach out at anytime if you have questions about ART and if its the right treatment for you!
drsandy@wellcochiropractic.com
Dr. Sandy Arthur, a board-certified chiropractor and certified ART provider, offers comprehensive care that includes ART, chiropractic adjustments, acupuncture, cupping, KT taping, and Graston Technique. Her goal is to provide individualized treatments that address the root causes of discomfort, enabling patients to return to their hobbies and passions without pain.
