Active Release Technique, or A.R.T., for short, is a type of Chiropractic treatment that focuses on treating the soft-tissue system of the body. And unlike traditional Chiropractic treatment, it uses massage-like movements rather than adjustments. This allows the Chiropractor to target problematic muscles, tendons, fascia, ligaments and sometimes even nerves— all of which are referred to as “soft tissues”.
Conditions That Can Be Treated by A.R.T.
Although A.R.T. and Chiropractic treatment differs in how they provide relief (more on that shortly), A.R.T. is still hugely successful in treating many of the same conditions that traditional Chiropractic treatment can. These include:
- Back Pain
- Neck Pain
- Whiplash and other Motor Vehicle Accident Related Injuries
- Repetitive Strain Injuries
- Shoulder Pain
- Arm Pain
- Hand Pain
- Knee Pain
- Leg Pain
- Spine Pain
- Carpel Tunnel Syndrome
- Reduced Mobility
- And more!
A.R.T. vs. Traditional Chiropractic Treatment
So, if they can both be used to treat the same conditions, you might be wondering how they differ then. The key is in how A.R.T. goes about treating the various conditions. As we mentioned above, A.R.T. uses massage-like movements focused on treating the soft tissue in our bodies rather than using adjustments like traditional Chiropractic treatment. This is because this soft tissue is often the source of the pain and inflammation and is untouchable by typical adjustments. By focusing on the soft tissue, A.R.T. can target the root of the pain or discomfort and provide a more profound relief and treatment. A.R.T. works to soften and stretch out the targeted muscle or muscles and break down the tissue. And because A.R.T. is solely-focused on treating the soft tissue, it also allows a Chiropractor to treat many conditions that are only caused by pain or inflammation in these areas— most commonly pain caused by overused muscles, surgeries, joint dysfunction, adhesions and even general muscle tenderness.
Benefits of A.R.T.
So why would a Chiropractor choose to use A.R.T. to treat a patient rather than traditional Chiropractic treatment? Check out the list below for just some of the benefits of using A.R.T.
Cleans out scar tissue
As we mentioned above, A.R.T. breaks down scar tissue. This is the tissue that our body sends to an affected area as part of its repair system. And over time, this scar tissue can build up and cause pain or discomfort (often the reason you seek treatment in the first place). But by targeting our body’s muscles, A.R.T. can break down this tissue and essentially clean our muscles— eliminating the pain or discomfort.
Benefits range of movement
As we mentioned above, A.R.T. focuses on softening and stretching out specific muscles to treat various conditions. And while this not only provides effective relief from pain or discomfort, it also helps improve a patient’s range of motion. This is especially beneficial for patients recovering from surgery or some other condition where they may not be able to move a specific part of their body for an extended time.
Can treat joint conditions
When compared to a treatment like traditional Chiropractic treatment, A.R.T. is better at treating conditions in our body’s joints. This is because it can be quite challenging to provide an adjustment to these areas whereas the muscles of these joints are more accessible.
Reduced recovery time
Thanks to its non-intrusiveness, A.R.T. provides patients with a much shorter recovery time than other treatments. And while this may not matter to the average person, we find this is extremely valuable for athletes— helping to get them back in the game as soon as possible.
Focuses on more than just pain relief
Pain relief is only one part of the larger rehabilitation process. Things like future pain prevention, patient education and even range of motion restoration, all also play a significant role in a patient’s treatment journey. This is what makes A.R.T. so beneficial. It focuses on pain relief as well as all of these other aspects. Providing patients with the knowledge and tools they need to continue living pain-free even after they’ve stopped visiting our clinic.
Does Every Chiropractor Offer A.R.T.?
But before you go asking your Chiropractor about A.R.T., you should know that not all Chiropractors or clinics can offer this service. Chiropractors must receive additional training and pass a test before they can officially offer A.R.T. as part of their patient treatment offerings.
If you’d like to learn more about A.R.T. or would like to find out if A.R.T. would be beneficial to your condition, we encourage you to reach out to us by phone, email or even on social media.
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