KUWABARA CHIROPRACTIC - Active Release

WHAT IS ACTIVE RELEASE TECHNIQUE?

ART is a patented, state of the art soft tissue system and movement based massage technique that treats problems with muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia and nerves. ART also treats other conditions such as headaches, back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, shin splints, shoulder pain, sciatica, plantar fasciitis, knee problems, and tennis elbow. These conditions are often a result
of overused muscles.

How do overuse conditions occur?

Over-used muscles (and other soft tissues) are caused by:

acute conditions (pulls, tears, collisions, etc),
accumulation of small tears (micro-trauma)
not getting enough oxygen (hypoxia).

Each of these factors can cause your body to produce tough, dense scar tissue in the affected area. This scar tissue binds up and ties down tissues that need to move freely. As scar tissue builds up, 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 is trapped you may also feel tingling, numbness, and weakness.

What is an ART treatment like?

Every ART session is actually a combination of examination and treatment. The ART provider uses his or her hands to evaluate the texture, tightness and movement of muscles, fascia, tendons, ligaments and nerves. Abnormal tissues are treated by combining precisely directed tension with very specific patient movements.

These treatment protocols are unique to ART. They allow providers to identify and correct the specific problems that are affecting each individual patient.

How you can benefit from the ART Method?

The power of Active Release Techniques lies in its ability to effectively resolve chronic injuries that have not responded to other forms of therapy. A soft tissue injury is best resolved by a combination of Active Release Techniques with a solid program of
rehabilitative exercises.

Who can benefit from ART?

ART can help everyone. Many professional athletes have come to regard Active Release Techniques very highly for it almost miraculous treatment of serious injuries. Donovan Bailey, Olympic gold medalist and Gary Roberts, a hockey player, have benefited from ART. If you have any type of repetitive strain injury (RSI), ART should be your first choice.

What does an ART treatment feel like?

Active Release Techniques are non invasive, very safe, have virtually no side effects, and have a record of producing very good results. Treatments can feel uncomfortable during the movement phase as the scar tissue or adhesions "break up". This discomfort is temporary and subsides almost immediately after the treatment. It is common to feel a duplication of your pain symptoms during the treatment, which is a good indication that the problem has been identified. Treatments take about 8-15 minutes per area treated and may require 4 to 10 visits.

Will my condition or problem return after treatment?

Once the ART practitioner has released the restrictive adhesions between tissues, post-treatment exercises become a critical part of the healing process and act to ensure the RSI does not return.

There are four fundamental areas that must be addressed in any exercise program:

Flexibility

Good flexibility enables muscles and joints to move through their full range of motion. Poor flexibility leads to a higher chance of injury to muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Stretching exercises are only effective if they are executed after the adhesions within the soft-tissue have been released. Stretching exercises that are applied to adhered tissues will only stretch the tissues above and below the restrictions. The actual restricted and adhered tissues are seldom stretched, leading to further bio mechanical imbalances.

Strength

Strengthening exercises are most effective after the adhesions within the soft-tissue have been released. Attempts to strengthen already-shortened and contracted muscles only results in further contraction and restriction. This causes the formation of yet more adhesions and restrictive tissues, and exacerbates the Repetitive Injury Cycle. This is why the application of generic or non-specific strengthening exercises for RSI seldom works.

Balance and Proprioception

Proprioception describes the body’s ability to react appropriately (through balance and touch) to external forces. Proprioception exercises should begin early in the rehabilitation process. Effective proprioception exercises are designed to restore the kinesthetic awareness of the patient. These exercises form the basis for the agility, strength, and endurance required for complete rehabilitation.

Cardiovascular

Cardiovascular or aerobic exercises are essential for restoring good circulation and for increasing oxygen delivery to soft-tissues. Lack of oxygen and poor circulation is a primary accelerant of repetitive strain injuries.