ACTIVE RELEASE & GRASTON TECHNIQUE

Active Release Techniques (or ART) is a patented technique for treating problems with muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia and nerves. ART has been developed by Dr. P. Michael Leahy, a chiropractor in Colorado. Dr. Leahy discovered he could actually feel his patients’ soft tissue injuries with his hands and could effectively treat them with this technique. Unlike a massage, the A.R.T treatment is designed to restore normal tissue function and range of motion.  The ART provider uses his 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. The ART treatment protocols allow providers to provide individualized care by identifying and correcting the specific problems that are affecting each patient.

 

The Graston Technique®, originally developed by athletes, is changing the way clinicians — including physical and occupational therapists, hand therapists, chiropractors and athletic trainers — and patients view treatment of acute and chronic soft tissue injuries.  Graston Technique® is an innovative, patented form of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization that enables clinicians to effectively break down scar tissue and fascial restrictions. The technique utilizes specially designed stainless steel instruments to detect and effectively treat areas exhibiting soft tissue fibrosis or chronic inflammation.

 

Scar tissue, or connective tissue adhesions, can accumulate as a result of over-used muscles, acute injury, or simply repetitive stress from everyday activities. 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, and possibly feelings of tingling, numbness and weakness. ART and Graston works to remove the adhesions in order to restore normal texture, motion and function of the soft tissue, and to release any entrapped nerves or blood vessels.

 

Many conditions can be resolved quickly and permanently with ART and Graston. Many times patients are pleasantly surprised when they get fast and substantial improvement from treatment, where treatments by other health care providers had not been effective. 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 treated successfully with ART and Graston Technique.

 

 

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