What is ART® Therapy?
ART® (Active Release Techniques) is a patented, state-of-the-art soft tissue movement-based technique that treats problems with muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia, and nerves. In today’s world, we are far harder on our bodies than ever before, overusing our bodies on a daily basis and often causing Repetitive/Cumulative Strain Injuries. Athletes and office workers alike do repetitive motions all day long, and as our bodies try to keep up with this unrelenting pace, muscles, tendons, ligaments or even nerves can get damaged.
When repairing these structures the body’s solution is to quickly produce scar tissue creating a patch job. This cheap grade tissue is often tough, dense and takes a long time to be replaced by tissue that looks, feels, and works normally. Scar tissue acts a lot like glue, sticking structures together. This is good, as this ‘glue’ holds torn fibres together as they heal. This is not good when the process starts gluing other parts of your soft tissue together called “adhesions.”
What causes the pain?
Scar tissue or adhesions will form between fibres when a muscle or tendon gets injured, either traumatically by a tear or gradually with overuse. Scar tissue and adhesions bind and restrict tissues that need to move freely. As scar tissue and adhesions build up, circulation is reduced, causing a decrease in oxygen and vital nutrients, yielding painful, inflamed tissues. Muscles become shorter and weaker, tension on tendons cause tendonitis, and nerves become trapped causing numbness, tingling, and weakness. Because of this, the patient may experience decreased range of motion, decreased strength, and most often pain.
How does it work?
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. The practitioner works to remove or break up the fibrous adhesions and scar tissue with the stretching motions.
Who can benefit?
- Chronic neck or back pain
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Wrist/knee problems
- Frozen Shoulder pain
- Tennis/Golfer’s elbow
- Repetitive strain injury
- Rotator cuff syndrome
- Thoracic outlet syndrome
- Shin splints
- IT band syndrome
- Plantar fasciitis
- Hip pain
- Knee injuries
- Sports injuries
How long will it take?
While every patient is different, you should notice a change after one visit. To resolve a “simple case,” a patient will need four – six visits. For a “complicated case,” a patient may need up to twelve visits.
Does it hurt?
ART® is non-invasive, very safe, has virtually no side effects, and comes with an impressive success record. Some tissues are more sensitive than others. ART® is always performed with patient and tissue tolerance in mind and is often described as a good stretch. We will always work within the patient’s comfort level.
Find out more. Book an appointment today.
Testimonials
“In a new office setting I was continually reaching for a heavy binder with my right hand. After many months I developed Tennis Elbow. I was no longer able to lift that binder and everyday motions caused me pain. At one point I could not even put the dishes away from the dishwasher without a great deal of pain. I noticed a major change after my first ART® session with Dr. Homer; I had less pain, tension and more mobility. By the 5th ART® session I was pain free, able to lift again and I was able to return to the gym. I’d recommend ART® to anyone who is frustrated with other treatments not working as I saw results after 30 minutes.”
— Gord
“I recently started suffering from sciatica and needed a fast and effective solution prior to going on a physically challenging trip abroad. Dr. Homer suggested ART®and it worked! Within a few short weeks of treatment the symptoms were gone. I would highly recommend this form of therapy for those suffering from similar issues.”
— Rachel
“I have seen many health care practitioners and none have made a greater impact on my immediate and long-term health than Dr. Homer. After my first ART® treatment I was in substantially less pain, moving and sleeping more comfortably than I have in years. The improvements continue after every treatment. Dr. Homer’s very detailed but holistic approach has made a world of difference in my quality of life.”
— Mo
“I’ve had on and off left hip pain for about 2 years and had it looked at by 3 different doctors with no lasting results. I had one 30-minute ART® session and felt 75% better. I went to the gym the next morning and was able to do my workout without experiencing any pain. My only regret is that I didn’t have ART® sooner!”
— Dale