What Is ART?

Have you heard of ART? Active Release Techniques (ART) is a soft tissue technique that was developed by chiropractor Michael Leahy in 1985. ART is used to release muscle tension and relieve pain to allow improved mobility and function.

To perform ART, the therapist applies deep pressure, while the patient actively moves the muscle, essentially a pin and stretch maneuver. By having the patient actively participate in the treatment, the patient has a higher degree of control in the process: pausing, stopping, and resuming treatment based on their own comfort and muscle movement.

This method is very effective, though not necessarily comfortable. When using ART, the therapist doesn’t have to force or overpower the muscle to create a similar release that is achieved from more aggressive methods. The decreased pressure and the active movement translate to decreased overall discomfort during ART.

Clinical experience shows that ART allows a quick muscular release with less force applied by the therapist. ART can be beneficial for a variety of conditions, especially: neck and shoulder tension, headaches, low back pain and tension, forearm tightness or tendinitis, IT band issues, hamstring or calf cramping, plantar fascia or foot pain.

If you are interested in trying ART or if you are looking to try it again, call to reserve a session at Refuge Physiotherapy!