Active Release Technique (ART®) is a patented manual soft tissue treatment that is effective for a broad range of soft tissue injuries for which most conventional treatments (physical therapy, massage, medication, surgery, and chiropractic) have failed. The goal of Active Release Technique® is to restore optimal texture, motion, and function to soft tissue and release any entrapped nerves or blood vessels. This is accomplished through the removal of adhesions or fibrosis in the soft tissues by using specific ART® techniques. Adhesions can occur as a result of acute injury, repetitive motion, or constant pressure or tension. ART® eliminates the pain and dysfunction associated with these adhesions.
ART® is unique because of the strong sense of touch the practitioner develops when learning the 500+ treatment protocols. These treatment protocols combine the use of pressure, tension, and motion to force the layers of muscle and tissue to work together properly. ART® is successful when other traditional methods fail because ART® practitioners locate the root cause of the problem. An experienced practitioner can successfully resolve many soft tissue conditions within 6-10 treatments. Advanced practitioners are trained in biomechanical analysis and understand exactly how injuries affect the biomechanics of the patient. ART® practitioners consider the body to be one complete, dynamic, functional unit; they do not restrict their attention and treatment to just the area of complaint.
ART® is not a magic bullet or cure-all. It is non-invasive, very safe, has virtually no side effects, and has a record of producing excellent results. Treatments can feel uncomfortable as scar tissue or adhesion break up. Patients report this as “hurts so good.” This discomfort is temporary and subsides almost immediately after treatment. It is common to feel a duplication of symptoms during the treatment. This is a good indication that the problem has been identified. Treatments take 15-20 minutes and may require 12-15 visits for optimal results.
These cumulative soft-tissue injuries are injuries to the muscles, tendons, bones, blood vessels, fascia and/or nerves. It is helpful to understand that cumulative injury results from acute injury, repetitive injury, or constant pressure/tension injury, all of which lead to what we term as the cumulative-injury cycle. It is the existence of the cumulative injury cycle that separates these from other injuries of the neuromusculo-skeletal system. Left uncorrected, they can lead to inflammation, adhesion/fibrosis, weak and tense tissues, and decreased circulation, all in a progression called the cumulative injury cycle.
ART® Corporate Solutions, Inc. offers a complete soft-tissue management system for companies striving to reduce workers’ compensation costs and recordable injury rates in the area of repetitive strain and strain/sprain injuries (MSDs). ART® Corporate Solutions utilizes the highest level Active Release Techniques® providers throughout North America to work with private corporations, insurance carriers, and professional sport teams to help the employee achieve a pain-free (or greatly improved) level of performance as quickly as possible at a significantly reduced cost. ART® is recognized by OSHA and the Department of Labor as a wellness, prevention, or first-aid measure. Dr. Karl is the provider for the Pepsi Bottling Group of Howell and Detroit, Michigan since 2006.