How do overuse injuries occur?

Overused 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, tension on tendons causes tendentious, and nerves can become trapped. This can cause reduced range of motion, loss of strength, and pain. If a nerve is trapped you may also feel tingling, numbness, and weakness.

What is an ART treatment like?

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.

These treatment protocols - over 500 specific moves - are unique to ART. They allow providers to identify and correct the specific problems that are affecting each individual patient. ART is not a cookie-cutter approach.

What should I expect from treatment?

Active Release Techniques, as the name implies, uses motion. Once the injury has been assessed, the provider uses hands on treatment and patient motion to free up problem areas. When muscles, tendons, and ligaments are clear of scar tissue, a specific stretching and strengthening program is prescribed in order to restore normal function.

How many treatments will be needed?

Most patients see immediate results, with 90% of patients achieving relief from pain within 4 to 6 visits.  Dr. LaScala's care is designed to product results as quickly as possible.

How was A.R.T. developed?

In 1990, Dr. Michael Leahy composed a definition of carpal tunnel and cumulative trauma disorders (CTD) for the Colorado Division of Labor. This definition was a result of Dr. Leahy's proven success rate in accurate diagnosis, short treatment duration, and cost effectiveness of these conditions.

To accurately define CTD, Dr. Leahy observed a consistent set of principles governing these conditions and defined this as The Cumulative Injury Cycle. To make these principles more universal he created the mathematical formula titled, The Law of Repetitive Motion.  These principles are the basis upon which Dr. Leahy founded A.R.T.

Researchers Dawes and Peacock demonstrated that hypoxia leads to a series of reactions attracting fibroblast mitogens to affected tissues, thus forming lesions reducing strength and flexibility on a cellular level. A.R.T. is the most effective and least invasive manual therapy technique proven to correct this condition.

A.R.T. has been widely published, cited in hundreds of journal, magazine, and newspaper articles.  It has been highly effective with cumulative trauma disorders, peripheral nerve entrapments, muscle and ligament tears, and metaplastic tissue changes. Since A.R.T. addresses a wide variety of conditions, certified providers receive referrals from all types of licensed heath care providers.

What training do A.R.T. providers receive?

In order to become an A.R.T. provider, each professional must complete extensive hands-on instruction and written/practical testing.  Providers attend ongoing training after certification.

Does insurance cover the costs of A.R.T.?

A.R.T. treatment procedures are covered by most insurance plans. Soft Tissue & Chiropractic Center can help you determine your coverage.

Active Release Techniques and A.R.T. are registered trademarks of ART Corp.

Copyright 2005 Dr. Stephen G. LaScala All Rights Reserved