Active Release Technique [ART] is available at The Physicaltherapy Centre, Walker House, Level 3, Suite 304, 161 Walker Street, North Sydney, NSW.
Tom Cartwright, Sports Chiropractor, has been practicing ART since
2008 in conjunction with a multitude of other therapies. He is a Masters
ART provider – currently full body certified with additional
certifications in nerve entrapment and complex protocols. Above we see a
recent photo of Tom demonstrating an Active Release Technique protocol
at the Masters ART course in front of the founder, Dr Michael Leahy in
June 2018.
ART is a movement-based massage technique that treats problems with
muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia and nerves. Headaches, back pain,
carpal tunnel syndrome, shin splints, shoulder pain, sciatica, plantar
fasciitis, knee problems, and tennis elbow are just a few of the many
conditions that can be resolved quickly and permanently with ART. These
conditions all have one important thing in common: they are often a
result of overused muscles and otherwise referred to as repetitive
strain injuries (RSI).
WHAT DOES A TYPICAL ART TREATMENT INVOLVE?
ART is a hands-on technique. After careful examination of your
injury, assuming it is related to soft tissue structures, the
practitioner uses carefully positioned hand contacts on your body to
affect treatment.
For example, in the case of tennis elbow, the practitioner will place
your hand and forearm into a specific position such that the wrist
extensor muscles are in their shortest position. The practitioner places
his/her contacts very specifically on a targeted muscle. He/she will
then have you perform a specific [active] movement that sees the
specific muscle move into its most lengthened position. Alternatively,
the practitioner may choose to perform the specific movement him/herself
while you remain passive.
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Each muscle protocol may be administered anywhere from 3 to 6 times.
You can expect a number of different muscle protocols to be used for a
particular injury. The skill of an ART practitioner lies both in the
application of the technique, as well as the ability to diagnose which
areas to treat in the resolution of an injury.
HOW DOES IT FEEL?
Essentially, ART is a combination of massage and stretching. The
sensation experienced by a patient could be described as a ‘sweet pain’.
This means that whilst there might be some discomfort, there is an
overwhelming feeling that there is therapeutic benefit. Patients will
usually instinctively know that the practitioner has correctly
identified the key area of concern, and will crave more of this
‘comfortable discomfort’.
Patients should feel well supported by their practitioner, being able
to perform the instructed movements with relative ease. It should never
feel agonisingly painful. Expect to feel some soreness in the area
following your first consultation (3 to 5 out of 10 pain scale). This
soreness may last into the next day and you should feel ready to receive
further treatment two to three days later.
FREQUENCY OF TREATMENT?
Patients always want to know how quickly they can be fixed. There are
stories of people being cured from their injuries after just one or two
sessions. It is highly unlikely there is any truth to these stories.
Repetitive strain injuries take time to develop. By nature, it is
many repetitions that lead to the state of injury. Fixing these injuries
is the same – it takes time to resolve them. In addition to a period of
rest, regardless of what your particular injury is, at the very least
you will require four to six sessions of ART.
Treatment by a skilled ART practitioner may see positive changes in
as little as one or two sessions. The frequency at which sessions are
conducted is crucial. ART therapy works best with no more than two to
three days in between treatment. Too much time passing between sessions
will thwart the healing process. Once you start treating soft tissue
injuries, you need to keep the progress going. It’s akin to keeping fit –
exercising once a month is not effective whereas three times per week
is.
If you cannot commit to a proposed treatment plan – do not waste your
time starting. Wait until there is a period of time in your schedule
when you can commit to regular treatment.
ART is just one of many techniques offered at Cartwright
Physicaltherapy. If you are suffering a musculoskeletal injury, take the
time to research other techniques. There is no magic bullet, and so you
will most likely find a combination of therapies is the best means of
treatment for your condition.
Get your injury addressed today by booking online at The Physicaltherapy Centre for Active Release Technique Sydney.
