Active Release Techniques® (ART) Provider:
Mike Badke (DC); ART, Doctor of Chiropractic
Active Release Technique® is a patented muscle therapy that is considered the very best treatment of repetitive strain (RSI), sports,
overuse, recurring and training injuries.
The ART practitioner is extensively trained to find the exact tissue that is injured or causing the
problem and then physically works that tissue back to its normal texture, tension and length. This technique is unique, very specific
and provides excellent results. Usually a patient will see |
|
significant results within just a few visits even if the injury has been around for years.
Conditions that respond best: shin splints, tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, rotator cuff strain or other
shoulder problems, knee and ITB problems, head aches, neck and back strains.
Who can benefit from Active Release Technique® (ART)?
Anyone who suffers from any type of repetitive strain injury – from the athlete, to the office worker, to the home keeper- can be helped by
treatments with active release techniques. Even if this problem has not responded to other forms of treatment. In addition ART is an effective
tool for improving athletic performance.
ART is should be your first choice if you have any type of repetitive strain injury since it is able to resolve the majority of these cases
without the use of invasive techniques like surgery, and can do so with almost no side effects (aside from a temporary tenderness of the soft
tissue)
How can ART improve athletic performance?
Performance of any sport – by either the amateur or the professional athlete – can improve significantly after ART treatments.
Art allows the body to perform at its most efficient level by restoring proper soft tissue function and movement. Short, restricted muscles are
weak muscles. The removal of these restrictions results in an almost immediate increase in strength. In addition, patients frequently
experience improved reaction times due to the improved muscular and nervous function.
Why will exercises that did not work before become effective after ART treatments?
Stretching and strengthening exercises only become effective if they are executed after the adhesions within the soft tissue have been released.
Attempts to strengthen muscles bound by adhesions often cause the structure to become more restricted, which in turn causes additional tension
within the soft tissue.
What is Active Release Technique® (ART)?
ART is soft tissue therapy 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.
How do overuse conditions occur?
Over-used muscles (and other soft tissues) change in three important ways:
- 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 - over 500 specific moves - are unique to ART. They allow providers to identify and correct the specific problems that are affecting each individual patient. ART is not a cookie-cutter approach.
What is the history of Active Release Techniques®?
ART has been developed, refined, and patented by P. Michael Leahy, DC, CCSP. Dr. Leahy noticed that his patients? symptoms seemed to be related to changes in their soft tissue that could be felt by hand. By observing how muscles, fascia, tendons, ligaments and nerves responded to different types of work, Dr. Leahy was able to consistently resolve over 90% of his patients problems. He now teaches and certifies health care providers all over the world to use ART.
Testimonial
I am an Ironman triathlete and for the past 4 years I have been plagued by achilles/calf overuse injuries, severely hampering my running ability. I have been to physios, chiros, herbal remedies, acupuncture, massage (the lot) all with limited and short term success. I was starting to get depressed and despondent about my injuries and thinking that this was it, they weren't going to get any better than this.
I then read about ART - Active Release Technique, in a number of triathlon magazines, but found that the few practitioners in Australia (let alone Sydney) weren't conveniently located for me. That was until I was recommended to City Clinic in York St Sydney (for acupuncture) and found that Michael Badke practiced ART. In a little over 3 months Michael has been my saviour - he has been able to free up all the scar tissue that had built up in my achilles/calves over the years. He has got me back running consistently but more importantly pain free.
The only thing holding me back now is my level of fitness and I'm looking forward to my next Ironman. Thanks Mike, you have given me back the sport that I love.
Steve Taylor
Ironman.
Read more
|
