Active Release Technique FAQ

Easing muscle tightness and "trigger" points can significantly reduce joint stress, pain, and muscle spasms while minimizing your risk of future musculoskeletal injury. A unique form of soft tissue therapy developed by a sports chiropractic physician, active release technique (ART) is somewhat comparable to myofascial release or deep tissue massage but differs in the way it approaches soft tissue manipulation. Your sports chiropractor in Puyallup applies ART to injured connective tissues, tendons, ligaments and major muscles suffering painful inflammation, strains, pulls, tears and scar tissue build-up The goals of ART are to restore flexibility, stimulate lymphatic system functioning to reduce inflammation and promote the flow of joint fluids throughout your body.

What Conditions Can ART Treat?

Active release therapy is highly effective for relieving pain  and stiffness caused by the following:

• Tension headaches
• Lower back pain
• Shoulder strain/frozen shoulder
• Shin splints
• Plantar fasciitis
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Tennis elbow
• Sciatica/sciatic nerve pain
• Bursitis
• Fascia

If you suffer other joint and muscle problems not listed, talk to your Pullayup sports chiropractor about using ART to treat your particular condition.

How Does Our Sports Chiropractor Perform Active Release Therapy?

ART consists of your sports chiropractor repeating targeted, precise movements that address injured joints and muscles while you work with the sports chiropractor to determine exactly where the pain exists. ART sessions are customized to address your unique problem according to the severity and location of your symptoms. A comprehensive variety of hand motions are implemented by certified ART practitioners for evaluating and locating areas of extreme tightness (trigger points) that indicate tissue damage and/or scar tissue. Your sports chiropractor will then guide you to move in certain ways so that trigger points are dissolved or "released".

What are the Benefits of ART?

Signs you may be suffering scar tissue build-up (adhesions) or tight, overused muscles include neck, elbow, back and knee stiffness, increased throbbing and pain while physically active, chronic joint pain, tingling/numbness in your arms and legs and decreased muscle strength. Active release therapy can effectively treat these symptoms by eliminating scar tissue and initiating natural healing of damaged soft tissues.

Schedule an Appointment with our Puyallup Sports Chiropractor

To learn more about ART or to schedule an appointment, please call our Puyallup rehabilitation center, Rainier Sports and Spinal Rehab at (253) 445-0440.