Active Release Technique
Active Release Technique (ART) is a state-of-the-art soft tissue system and movement-based massage technique, that treats problems related to muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia and nerves. Although issues can be resolved quickly and permanently with ART, they all have one important thing in common: they are often a result of overused muscles.
How do overuse conditions occur?
Over-used muscles (and other soft tissues) change in three important ways:
- Acute conditions (sprains, strains, collisions, etc.)
- The accumulation of small tears in tissue (micro-trauma)
- Lack of adequate amounts of oxygen (hypoxia)
Each of these factors can cause your body to produce tough, dense, scar tissue in the affected area. This scar tissue builds-up and ties down tissues that are meant to move freely. As scar tissue increases, muscles become shorter and weaker, tension on tendons causes tendonitis, and nerves can become trapped. This can cause reduced range of motion, loss of strength, and pain. If a nerve becomes trapped, you may also feel numbness, tingling, and weakness.