ART stands for Active Release Technique – a specialized form of soft-tissue treatment. It’s not just used by chiropractors but by other healthcare professionals, too.
The primary focus of traditional chiropractic therapy is on spinal adjustments. On the other hand, ART targets the muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia, and nerves throughout the body. This unique approach combines examination and treatment protocols specific to each patient’s needs.
If you know how this distinctive method is different from standard ones, you can better understand how it might help with natural healing without using invasive treatments or medications. So, let’s keep reading!
What is ART Chiropractic Therapy?
ART, short for Active Release Techniques Soft Tissue treatment, is a specialized form of therapy that targets specific soft tissue structures in the body. It involves applying calculated amounts of pressure to affected areas by trained professionals.
So, what affected areas are we talking about? Scientific evidence shows that muscles, nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissues can develop adhesions due to injuries like acute trauma or chronic conditions. These adhesions can lead to altered motion of muscles and joints. This situation results in symptoms such as pain, weakness, limited mobility, and even numbness and tingling sensations.
During ART sessions, trained healthcare professionals use over 500 specific moves tailored to each patient’s needs. It’s effective in treating problems with muscles and joints.
What Conditions Can Be Treated By ART?
ART chiropractic therapy is incredibly versatile and can effectively address a wide range of conditions. Some common issues that ART can help treat include:
- Lower back pain or discomfort in the upper back.
- Stiff neck, cervical spine problems, or even whiplash injuries resulting from car accidents.
- Conditions like tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow.
- Rotator cuff strains, shoulder impingement syndrome, and nerve entrapments leading to numbness and tingling.
- Knee and leg pains stemming from muscular imbalances.
- Reduced mobility due to scar tissue adhesions.
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
What Body Parts Are Treated By Chiropractic ART Therapy?
ART chiropractic therapy is effective in treating different body parts affected by injury or damage. The technique can help relieve pain and other symptoms related to:
- Fascia: ART targets the fibrous connective tissue known as fascia. It surrounds muscles and organs in your body. Inflammation within the fascial band can cause stiffness and severe pain. For example, conditions like plantar fasciitis are common issues addressed through ART.
- Major Muscle Groups: Overuse or trauma may result in strains and pulls that impact major muscle groups. These muscle groups can be found in the neck, shoulders, back, hamstrings, and more.
- Tendons and Ligaments: Tendons connect muscles to bones, and ligaments connect bone to bone. Injuries to these body parts often lead to decreased range of motion and discomfort. Chiropractors target these specific areas with precise techniques during an ART session.
How Does ART Work?
ART chiropractic therapy works by targeting and breaking up adhesions. Adhesions are accumulations of dense scar tissues that form when muscles and connective tissues are injured or overused. These adhesions can restrict movement, leading to pain, stiffness, and even nerve entrapment.
At first, the practitioner uses their hands to evaluate the surface and situation of affected areas. Then, they apply precisely directed tension through specific movements. This way, the professional can identify and correct the specific problems impacting your range of motion.
Blood flow is restored by manipulating these scar tissues using a combination of evaluation and treatment techniques unique to ART therapy. This improves healing while enhancing muscle, joint, and nerve flexibility for a more natural approach to rehabilitation.
What Are the Benefits of ART?
As a unique soft tissue treatment technique, ART brings benefits beyond just pain relief. ART therapy works like magic when it comes to improving movement and treating joint conditions to addressing scar tissue buildup! Let’s explore all the major advantages:
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Helps With Movement
ART chiropractic therapy is an excellent choice for improving movement. We have learned that ART works by targeting specific muscles and soft tissues, eventually loosening tight areas and increasing flexibility. This can be especially beneficial for individuals recovering from surgery or those who have experienced limited mobility due to certain conditions.
For instance, after knee surgery, you have been immobilized with a cast for several weeks. When the cast is removed, you may notice scar tissue formed around the joint area, leading to stiffness and a restricted range of motion. Through tailored ART sessions, you can gradually regain the ability to move freely without discomfort or limitations.
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Treats Joint Conditions
ART is not like traditional chiropractic treatment. Instead of focusing on spinal adjustments, a professional would work on the muscles surrounding the joints. This makes it easier to address issues within the joints themselves.
For example, an individual suffering from carpal tunnel syndrome may find comfort through ART therapy. The practitioner targets and releases tension in the muscles and connective tissues of the wrist and hand. With that, this specialized treatment can eliminate symptoms like numbness, tingling sensations, and tightness related to carpal tunnel syndrome.
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Cleans Out Scar Tissues
Our bodies naturally produce scar tissue as part of the repair process when there is an injury or trauma to a specific area. However, over time, this scar tissue can accumulate and cause so much discomfort that it becomes difficult to move that body part.
Through ART sessions, skilled practitioners can precisely work on the affected areas and break down dense scar tissues that have formed. This technique essentially cleans out our muscles, providing relief from pain and restoring proper function.
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Improved Recovery Time
One of the notable benefits of ART chiropractic therapy is its ability to reduce recovery time. Unlike invasive procedures, ART focuses on non-intrusive methods that promote faster healing. This makes it particularly valuable for athletes who need to get back in the game as soon as possible.
Let’s say a professional tennis player sprains their wrist during a match. A surgery or cast will definitely keep them away from the field for a great period of time. But specifically designed ART sessions can help in swift healing so they can start training earlier.
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Additional Benefits Other Than Pain Relief
While pain relief is a crucial aspect of ART chiropractic therapy, there are additional benefits that make this treatment approach even more valuable. With ART, they focus on the larger rehabilitation process and offer patients tools for long-term pain prevention.
There’s a lot to learn from patient education and customized treatment plans. You can apply some techniques to maintain an optimal range of motion in your daily life. This will empower you to continue living a pain-free life even after you’ve completed the ART sessions.
What Are the Differences Between ART and Traditional Chiropractic Therapy?
Traditional chiropractic care and ART both aim to treat similar conditions. But the key distinction lies in their approaches. Let’s explore the fundamental differences between these two natural treatment procedures:
- ART focuses on treating soft tissue using massage-like movements, while traditional chiropractic therapy primarily uses spinal adjustments. Soft tissue is often the source of pain, inflammation, and restricted movement. It cannot be treated solely through adjustments.
- ART targets the root cause in soft tissues like muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia, and nerves. So, this technique provides more profound relief for conditions caused by inflammation or overuse.
- Traditional chiropractic treatment focuses mainly on joint dysfunction or misalignment. Whereas, ART treats a wider range of conditions, including post-surgical pain and muscle tenderness.
ART complements conventional chiropractic treatment. Combining both practices provides a holistic approach to addressing various musculoskeletal issues effectively.
What Are Some Common Signs of Scar Tissue Accumulation?
If you suspect that scar tissue has built up in your body, watch out for these common signs:
- Stiffness in areas such as the neck, elbows, hands, knees or back
- Increased pain during exercise or physical activity
- Sharp pain experienced at the bottom of your foot near the heel (a possible sign of plantar fasciitis)
- Numbness and tingling sensations in your fingers
- Reduced flexibility and limited range of motion
- Decreased strength
These are just a few examples. Any inflammation or discomfort you experience could be related to scar tissue accumulation.
Be sure to consult with an ART chiropractor who can identify and address these specific issues. The sooner you understand these signs in your body, the better chance there is for effective recovery!
Final Thoughts
ART chiropractic therapy is a revolutionary approach to natural healthcare. A wide range of soft tissue conditions can be effectively addressed and treated with ART. With an experienced and trained professional, you can take charge of your health and experience the benefits of active release therapy today!
The Brost Clinic, located in Minnesota, USA, specializes in providing expert ART treatments. If you’re looking for pain relief or improved mobility without relying on invasive procedures or medications, consider scheduling an appointment with our skilled chiropractors.
Don’t let joint discomfort hold you back from living life to its fullest potential. Call us today and learn more about how we can help restore your well-being through advanced techniques like ART chiropractic therapy.