Active Release Technique

What is Active Release Technique®

Active Release Technique®, or ART®, is a hands-on soft tissue treatment used to correct problems from various kinds of soft tissue injuries. ART restores the normal function of your muscles and related structures, allowing full and free ranges of motion and restoring biomechanics. ART breaks down scar tissue that builds up within muscles and between muscles, and it helps to restore your nervous system’s control of the muscles.

This state-of-the-art treatment system works on problems in the back, neck, arms, legs, hands, and feet. Certified Active Release Chiropractic Providers apply their advanced knowledge of anatomy, muscular mechanics, peripheral neurology, and motor patterns to achieve excellent results, even in cases where all else seems to have failed.

 

The History of ART® Soft Tissue Treatment

ART® has been developed, refined, and patented by P. Michael Leahy, a Colorado Springs chiropractor widely regarded as the top soft tissue expert in the country, if not the world.

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®.

 

How Do Soft-Tissue Injuries Occur?

Over-used muscles (and other soft tissues) change in three important ways:
  • acute injuries (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. This causes reduced range of motion, loss of strength, and pain. If a peripheral nerve is trapped you may also feel tingling, numbness, and weakness.

 

How Does This Affect Normal Function?

As scar tissue builds up within your muscles and between your muscles, they can lengthen and shorten normally. Take a moment and flex your bicep muscle. It gets shorter. Now relax it. It gets longer. When scar tissue starts to clog your muscles, it prevents this normal action of muscle. The result is weakness, tightness, stiffness, and pain, as well as altered biomechanics. ART® breaks up this scar tissue so your muscles can move freely again.

In addition, soft tissue injuries have another, more subtle effect. They interfere with your brains ability to control your muscles via the nervous system. Once your muscles start to get tight, your body will think that tightness is normal. It will resist your attempts to stretch the muscle. This is why stretching rarely corrects a problem. ART® helps reset the normal tone of your muscles by correcting the nervous system’s feedback to the brain.

 

Who Can Benefit From Active Release Technique®?

ART® can help people from all walks of life. From pro athletes to weekend warriors to stay at home parents to entire work forces. It doesn’t matter who you are or what you do, if your injury is related to soft tissue, chances are that ART® will help you.

What our patients are saying

“I always feel so much better when I leave Finan Chiropractic!! My body feels better from being adjusted and my heart feels better from the friendly people in the office. I would recommend to everyone!”

- Lisa C.

“The whole process was super easy. Filling out the forms and scheduling the appointment was a breeze. And Dr. Nate Backer was incredible. He is a straight shooter and does not try to hide anything from you. He focuses on fixing the problem, not the symptoms. Very personable and knowledgeable. Felt so much better after leaving the office. He assigned me stretches I could do at home to help relieve some of my pain and they are working great. Overall, a fantastic experience. Would definitely recommend!”

- David G.

“I have been a patient since 2014 and I cannot say enough wonderful things about Dr. Finan. She is attentive and extremely knowledgeable. I had previously quit seeing a chiropractor because my chronic pain was not being resolved – until I saw her! I recently began seeing Dr. Nate as well and have received nothing but excellent care as well. The office staff is so friendly and helpful – go, go, go! You won’t regret it.”

- Abigail C.

“Josh helped me recover from two running injuries this year. I was able to run a pain free half marathon three weeks ago, and I look forward to a healthy running year in 2017 thanks to the excellent care I received.”

- Joseph R.

“He (Dr. Backer) was very knowledgeable and helpful in asking great questions to try to figure out root causes of symptoms vs jumping straight into adjustments and such. He provided a lot of good information and took the time to discuss preventative habits with me such as stretching, sleeping positions, etc that may help prevent future symptoms. He was very skilled in adjusting and relieving tension I immediately felt an increase in mobility and decreased tension. Looking forward to my next appointment!”

- Marcus A.

“Dr. Finan is amazing. The rest of the staff is too. Everyone is super friendly and helpful. They are always on time. I’ve never waited more than 5 minutes in the year I’ve been going there. Dr. Finan has helped my back and ailments in such a short time. I feel great! Thank you!”

- Janel B.

Visit Us

11001 Hauser St
Lenexa, KS 66210

5600 Hedge Lane Ter.
Shawnee, KS 66226

Phone: 913-322-4100
Fax: 913-273-6398

Open Hours

Mon/Tue/Thur 8AM - 6PM
Wed/Fri 8AM - 2PM

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