Benefits of Active Release Technique (ART) in the Orthopedic Patient
Active Release Technique (ART) is a patented soft tissue mobilization technique that addresses dysfunction of the soft tissue in the body, including muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves and fascia. The ART practitioner uses his or her hands to palpate abnormal tissue, and using compression and tension applied manually (with the hands), moves the patient’s body in specific movement patterns to allow stretching or gliding to occur at a targeted tissue. Generally, the goal of treatment is to allow tissue that may be adhered or shortened to move freely or achieve its normal length or resting tension.
As a physical therapist, I often interact with patients who on their initial visit will comment, “I need exercises for my back” or “I just need to get my back stronger.” Although exercise and increased strength are vital in low back health, a common misconception is that low back pain is a homogenous entity, essentially the same from one individual to the next. I frequently use the analogy of a patient with chest pain being seen in the Emergency Room. If every patient that was seen for chest pain were treated for a heart attack, how successful would that treatment be? How would the patient with gastric reflux or a collapsed lung respond to medications, or even surgery, to treat blockage of the arteries of the heart? Obviously, the answer is “not very well.” As we expect physicians to realize that there are many different causes (and treatments) for chest pain, physical therapists also are increasingly aware that not all back pain responds favorably to the same treatment techniques or exercise.
