Great Treatment Options for Muscles & Soft Tissues
Recently, I attended an annual re-certification training, as I have for the past 16 years, to study and practice a wonderful and often effective hands-on technique called Active Release Technique (ART, for short). As a long-term practitioner of chiropractic, acupuncture, and therapeutic bodywork, I have worked with thousands of patients dealing with various types of pain and injuries and it occurred to me how many people I have literally touched and been able to help over the years with various types of soft tissue conditions and injuries using a wide range of manual muscular therapies. In my opinion, Active Release Technique treatment and management protocols set the gold standard for being able to address a wide variety of painful and structural conditions throughout the body and in straightforward, time effective, and conservative ways.
I also realized how much I have been helped personally from receiving ART treatments with my own body and how these techniques continue to allow me to stay structurally healthy and active in my professional practice and recreational activities, not to mention my daily life. And it’s interesting to note that all NFL as well as many professional (college & high school) baseball, hockey, and basketball teams have ART providers on staff treating their athletes for various injuries, prevention, and high level performance.
What is Active Release Technique (ART)?
Briefly, it is an evaluation and hands-on treatment system that allows a practitioner to diagnose and treat wide range of soft tissue injuries and conditions. ART is a conservative, non-surgical approach for a wide variety of conditions.
What are Soft Tissues?
In this context, soft tissues are referring to: Muscles, Tendons, Ligaments, Fasciae/Connective Tissues, Bursae, and Nerves.
What types of conditions might ART commonly address?
- Sports & work-related injuries and conditions involving: neck, back, ribs or extremities.
- Tendonitis/Tendinosis: Tennis & golfer’s elbow, Rotator Cuff/shoulder tendonitis, wrists, hands, hips, knees, shins (“shin splints”),ankles, and feet (plantar fasciitis).
- Sprains and Strains involving muscles, tendons, and ligaments of the whole body- Knees, ankles, wrists, shoulders.
- Trigger points and various pain syndromes (Back & neck pain, headaches, TMJ)
- Repetitive overuse injuries and conditions. Examples: Work, sport, yard work, computer work, and various daily activities
- Various types of nerve –related problems involving pain and/or numbness & tingling
- Post-Surgical Pain, Numbness, Immobility (due to scar tissue and adhesions)
- Acute & chronic conditions
I am grateful to be able to continue to study and practice Active Release Techniques and to offer them to patients and clients of all ages at Lotus Healing Arts. If you would like to know more about ART, please feel free to contact our office and I would also invite you to watch a short and relevant video where I offer an overview of this marvelous and practical technique. Please click on the link below to view this educational video.
Yours In Health,
Mark Ensweiler DC,LAC,LBT
the staff at Lotus Healing Arts