Things you need to know about active release technique (ART)
What is Active Release Therapy and how does ART help?
Active Release Techniques (ART) is a patented soft tissue technique that treats problems with muscles, tendons, fascia, ligaments, and nerves by using isolated pressure and movements on soft tissues to release adhesions. It is very effective in improving pain and increasing blood flow and healing soft tissues.
How does the active release technique work?
During an ART session, the therapists identify, isolate and target the affected areas by using their hands to locate an area with adhesion. They then apply traction to that specific area while the patient moves their body, in order to pull the muscle underneath. This technique helps break up the scar tissue which helps the area restore proper blood flow.
Active Release Therapy works by breaking up adhesions, which are a microscopic form of scar tissue. This can cause pain, weakness, reduced flexibility, and nerve damage.
What are the benefits of ART?
The active release technique is very beneficial for neck, lower back, shoulder, and knee pain.
List Of Benefits Of Art (Active Release Technique):
- Improve flexibility
- Reduces Pain
- Promotes faster recovery
- Enhances athletic performance
- Improves circulation
What injuries can you treat with Active Release Technique?
- Sciatica
- Ankle sprains
- Iliotibial Band Syndrome
- Hamstring strain
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
- TMJ Disorders
- Plantar fasciitis
- Neck and Low back pain
- Nerve Entrapment
- Radial Tunnel Syndrome.
- Repetitive strain injuries
- Shoulder impingement
- Medial and Lateral Epicondylitis
How Does ART Help?
The active Release Technique helps restore the function of soft tissue which helps prevent injuries and promotes faster recovery. Active Release Therapy helps break up adhesions which then aid in restoring normal tissue motion and function.
How effective is ART and Does the Active Release Technique Really Work?
Numerous studies show that ART is a highly effective soft tissue treatment. In fact, it has been extremely popular with athletes, especially in North America helps them train better and be injury free.
How Long Does Active Release Technique Take To Work?
The time it takes for Art to work varies depending on how long the individual has had the injury and other factors. Our chiropractor will create a treatment plan for you based on the assessment findings.
How To Do Active Release Technique
During Active Release Therapy (ART), a muscle is shortened and the therapist applies tension to the muscle while the patient moves the area to actively lengthen the muscle. This may cause some pain but this is normal because this technique works by increasing the nervous system’s tolerance to the stretch to a tight muscle.
Is Active Release Technique Covered By Insurance?
Active release therapy at our clinics is done by our registered chiropractors so it will cover your sessions if your insurance plan covers chiropractic care.
History of Active Release Technique
ART has been developed, refined, and patented by P. Michael Leahy, DC, CCSP. He developed this technique because he noticed that his patient’s symptoms seemed to be related to the changes in the soft tissue which he could palpate. This technique method focuses on relieving tension in the tissue caused by repetitive movement.
This technique revolves completely around the patient’s symptoms and aims to treat soft tissue mobility issues with tendons, ligaments, muscles, nerves, and fascia.
Dr. Leahy consistently helped heal 90% of his patients’ issues. In 1985, he first documented his work under the title of Myofascial Release, but later on, he patented it under the name Active Release Techniques. He is now teaching healthcare providers all over the world to use ART.
How Much Does Active Release Technique Cost?
ART is done by our chiropractors. The fees for chiropractic services are:
Initial session which is an hour long and includes assessment and assessment for $125.
A 30 minute follow up treatment session is for $95.
How Art Is Different Considered To Many Other Soft Tissue Techniques?
The main difference between Active Release Therapy and any other soft tissue techniques is that ART incorporates active movement into treatment. While the therapist presses on the affected area, the patient actively moves the affected structure.
Active Release Technique Vs Myofascial Release
- Is Active Release Technique the same As Myofascial Release?
Active Release Therapy is an advanced form of Myofascial release and its main goal is to break up adhesions which helps with the reduction of pain and increases the range of motion. It also helps reduce inflammation by improving circulation.
The main goal of Myofascial Release Therapy is to loosen the fascia and release restrictions to restore the range of motion and decrease pain.
In Myofascial Release Therapy, the therapist applies gentle but firm pressure to areas known as trigger point areas to release the tension.
Book your appointment for an ART session here.
| Definition/Layman’s terms for the condition | Sacroiliac joint dysfunction is a term used to describe the pain derived from the joint. It can be caused in issues with movement and alignment. It usually presents as low back pain. |
| Cause/MOI | SI joint dysfunction can be present during pregnancy when there are many changes to the body (physically, hormonally, etc). It can also be present after trauma to the area by landing on your back or landing with a straight leg causing forces to travel up the leg. |
| Common symptoms | Pain is usually localized over the buttock area where the SIJ is located. It may be a sharp or shooting pain that can refer down the back of the leg, but usually not past the knee. Most people will complain of pain when sitting down, climbing stairs |
| How is it diagnosed clinically? Diagnostically | Clinical diagnosis is based on a combination of subjective history and clinical cluster of objective tests. Subjective history may include pregnancy, direct trauma to the area, landing on a straight leg, pain localized to the buttock area or referring down the leg but not past the knee. Objective tests include a series of maneuvers that may provoke the pain or may show the clinician changes in motor control around the SIJ. |
| Treatment options? | Treatment options usually are conservative in nature and thus physiotherapy is a mainstay in addressing SIJ dysfunction. Pain medications, corticosteroids, taping and braces may also be implemented to help with daily functioning. |
| How physiotherapy can help? | Physiotherapy can help by reducing pain and inflammation, strengthening your core and mobilizing your SIJ. |
| Typical physiotherapy treatment approach-manual therapy, modalities, exercise, etc | Physiotherapy treatment may consist of manual therapy, exercises, education, and modalities. Manual therapy may consist of low back mobilisations, SIJ mobilisations and manipulations to help with pain relief.Exercises may consist of core strengthening and lower extremity strengthening, all in an effort to help provide stability to the area and increase pain free mobility. Contact us to book an appointment for a physiotherapy assessment. |
| Other treatment options | Other treatment options include braces, taping, corticosteroids. |
| Prognosis | SIJ dysfunction has a good prognosis and pregnancy-related SIJ dysfunction will usually resolves within 12 months post-partum. |
| Consequences of not getting it treated/long term effects | Ongoing pain, trouble with sitting, walking/running, trouble with daily activities that involve your lower extremities. |
| Braces that can help | Pelvic belt, SI joint belt. We offer the Sacroloc. |
Click HERE to book an appointment with a physiotherapist or chiropractor at one of our eight locations.
- Physiotherapy Etobicoke – Triangle Physiotherapy Etobicoke
- Oakville Physiotherapy Clinic – Triangle Physiotherapy Oakville
- Physiotherapy North York – Triangle Physiotherapy North York
- Mississauga Physiotherapy Clinics – Triangle Physiotherapy Mississauga
- Downtown Physiotherapy Clinics – Triangle Physiotherapy King West
- Uptown Physiotherapy Clinics – Triangle Physiotherapy Lawrence Park
- Physiotherapy Clinic Downtown Toronto – Triangle Physiotherapy Queens Quay
- Physiotherapy Clinics Mississauga – Triangle Physiotherapy Erin Mills
What is Plantar Fasciitis?
Plantar Fasciitis is a type of foot pain resulting from inflammation of a band of connective tissue located on the bottom side of the foot known as the Plantar Fascia. This band of connective tissue runs from the heel of the foot, all the way to the base of each toe, and it functions to support the arch of the foot, especially during weight-bearing.
The pain associated with Plantar Fasciitis is located on the bottom of the foot, with it often manifesting around the heel and along the inside of the foot. It is common for this pain to be at its worst first thing in the morning, and it is usually accompanied by other symptoms, such as stiffness, weakness, swelling and decreased proprioception.
What is the Plantar Fascia?
The plantar fascia is a flat band of tissue that connects your heel bone (Calcaneus) to the base of the toes (Metatarsophalangeal joints). This ligament assists in supporting the arch of your foot.
What causes Plantar Foot Pain?
People experience this when they have strained the connective tissue from repetitive overloading to the area. Repetitive overloading causes little tears to occur, and over time this produces inflammation and other associated symptoms, as described above.
Plantar Fasciitis is more common in people who can relate to the following:
- Have flat feet or high arches
- Have tight calf muscles
- Wear improper footwear
- Engage in repetitive physical activity (overtraining)
- Suddenly changed activity levels (increased frequency, duration or intensity)
- Suddenly changed activity or training environment
- Work in an environment that requires prolonged standing
Plantar Fasciitis is one of the most common reasons people experience foot pain and seek Physiotherapy treatment to solve it.
How can a physiotherapist at Triangle Physiotherapy help with plantar foot pain?
A Physiotherapist at Triangle Physiotherapy will do a thorough assessment of the fot to ensure a proper diagnosis is obtained. This will include getting a detailed history, observing the area and how you function, and running through a series of specific tests. From there, an individualized treatment plan will be made for you to help you achieve your goals and assist you on your road to recovery.
If you think you might have Plantar Foot Pain, contact us to book an appointment with one of our Physiotherapists today!
Who is a Chiropractor?
What does a Chiropractor Treat?
Nobody takes better care of your spine than a chiropractor. For many conditions, such as lower backache, neck pain, sciatica, and headache, going to a chiropractor is frequently recommended as the primary method of treatment. However, that’s not all they treat. They also treat all other neuromusculoskeletal conditions in the body, ranging from frozen shoulder to a sprained ankle through a manual, rehabilitation-based approach. Also read, Best Physiotherapy Treatment Clinic in OakvilleHere is some general advice from our Chiropractors:
- Increase your core strength: Build your core muscles by exercising daily and by eating healthy. It will increase your stamina and help you catch yourself to avoid a fall while you travel/hike.
- Stretch regularly: Keep your muscles flexible, it will help you to prevent any injury.
- Take regular breaks at work: Especially when you have a traditional 9-5 desk job, sitting constantly without any movement can get your back and neck in trouble. Get up every 30 minutes and take a 2 minute walk.
- Regularly visit a Chiropractor: Just like you would with your family Physician, inform your Chiropractor about any injury you might have sustained, regardless of how “minor” you think it to be. Even a small wreck can disturb the overall functioning of your body and can lead to long-term unwanted compensations.
- Change your mattress if you always wake up with a back pain: Do you wake up sore or with a backache? It’s time to change your bed mattress. If your mattress is older than 10 years then it might be losing its ability to stabilize your back while you sleep.
Click HERE to book an appointment with a chiropractor at one of our eight locations.
- Chiropractic Etobicoke – Triangle Physiotherapy Etobicoke
- Oakville Chiropractic Clinic – Triangle Physiotherapy Oakville
- Chiropractor in North York – Triangle Physiotherapy North York
- Mississauga Chiropractic Clinics – Triangle Physiotherapy Mississauga
- Downtown Chiropractic Clinics – Triangle Physiotherapy King West
- Chiropractor Yonge and Eglinton – Triangle Physiotherapy Lawrence Park
- Chiropractic Clinic Downtown Toronto – Triangle Physiotherapy Queens Quay
- Chiropractic Clinics Mississauga – Triangle Physiotherapy Erin Mills
Overview:
The term “Chiropractic” combines the Greek words cheir (hand) and praxis (practice) to describe a treatment that is administered by hand. It’s an alternative, non-invasive approach that focuses on the treatment of mechanical disorders of the muscles, joints, bones and nerves of the body. The goal of Chiropractic care is to tie all the above together in a functional way. The clinician that treats these ailments is known as a Chiropractor. They are skilled in hands-on healthcare, specializing in manual adjustments. Chiropractic treatment often makes use of spinal manipulation techniques to treat headaches, tiredness, or discomfort in other parts of the body. Also read, Physiotherapy Clinic in Mississauga
Treatment:
During the initial visits, Chiropractors usually take a health history and perform a physical examination, with a special emphasis on the spine. This may also include joint mobilizations, muscle release therapy, therapeutic exercise, nutritional counseling, and recommendations for injury prevention strategies and lifestyle changes to help you achieve your optimal well-being. Chiropractors may combine the use of spinal adjustments and other manual therapies with several other treatments and approaches such as:- Heat and ice
- Electrical stimulation
- Relaxation techniques
- Rehabilitative and general exercise
- Counseling about diet, weight loss, and other lifestyle factors
- Dietary supplements.
How to be safe:
No part of your body escapes the dominance of your nervous system. Even the slightest malfunction of your spine may alter the regular transmission of nerve impulses, preventing that portion of your body from responding optimally. Below are some strategies to help you get the most benefit out of your Chiropractic treatment:- Ask about the chiropractor’s education and licensure.
- Mention any medical conditions that you have, and ask whether the chiropractor has specialized training or experience in the condition for which you are seeking care.
- Tell the chiropractor about any medications and dietary supplements that you take.
- Give your Chiropractor a clear picture of the other approaches you use to manage your health conditions.
What you can expect from us?
Slight misalignments can cause poor health or function, even in areas far removed from the spine and spinal cord. Misalignments can also reduce the ability of your body to adapt to its ever-changing environment. At Triangle, we heal the pain with ‘CARE’- Correct
- Achieve
- Relieve
- Enhance
Click HERE to book an appointment with a chiropractor at one of our eight locations.
- Chiropractor Etobicoke – Triangle Physiotherapy Etobicoke
- Oakville Chiropractic Clinic – Triangle Physiotherapy Oakville
- Chiropractic North York – Triangle Physiotherapy North York
- Mississauga Chiropractic Clinics – Triangle Physiotherapy Mississauga
- Downtown Chiropractic Clinics – Triangle Physiotherapy King West
- Chiropractic Clinics Toronto – Triangle Physiotherapy Lawrence Park
- Chiropractic Clinic Downtown Toronto – Triangle Physiotherapy Queens Quay
- Chiropractic Clinics Mississauga – Triangle Physiotherapy Erin Mills