Active Release Technique: The Gold Standard in Soft Tissue Therapy in Kansas City
F.I.T. Muscle & Joint Clinic uses a hands-on method called active release techniques (ART) to evaluate and treat muscle and nerve pain in patients across Kansas City.
Michael Leahy, D.C., developed this technique, and it is now the gold standard in the treatment of painful soft tissue conditions.
This blog will explain ART and how soft tissue therapy in Kansas City may be able to benefit you!
What is Active Release Technique?
Active release technique begins by the doctor using his or her hands to feel for tight or tender muscles. Due to their excessive tightness, these muscles feel sore and cause the patient to feel pain.
When a muscle is tight, it becomes weak. Weak muscles then get even tighter, creating a never-ending loop of muscle tightness, weakness, and soreness. As the muscles become more dysfunctional, the individual experiences pain, fatigue, or loss of range of motion.
Once this cycle begins, it requires the intervention of a doctor to restore the quality of the muscles and improve biomechanics in order to reduce pain.
How does this soft tissue therapy in Kansas City work?
After determining the cause of the problem, the doctor will cover the muscle with his or her hands and apply compression and tension while the muscle is moved through a specific range of motion.
The compression and tension applied loosens up the muscles and allows blood flow and oxygen to help break the cycle of pain and begin to heal the tissue.
The most beneficial part of the technique is creating tension, but it is also the hardest component to achieve. We have patients come in every day saying they get massages, use a tennis ball or LAX ball, or use a foam roller to rub out the knots, but their pain never fully goes away. This is because these methods do not apply an adequate amount of pressure.
How else can Active Release Technique help me?
This technique also works with irritated nerves and nerve pain such as carpal tunnel syndrome or sciatica.
As the muscle becomes tight it will compress on the nerve. Compressed nerves become irritated and cause numbness, tingling, burning, or electric pain. Relieving the tightness in the muscles using ART will remove the nerve irritation and allow the nerve to move freely again.
Who is qualified to perform soft tissue therapy in Kansas City?
ART is a highly sought after soft tissue therapy in Kansas City. Specifically trained Chiropractors, Physical Therapists, Massage Therapists, Certified Athletic Trainers, and Medical Doctors can perform it.
There are over 500 protocols specific to the treatment of nearly every muscle, ligament, and nerve in the human body. The evaluation and treatment of soft tissue injuries is the specific focus of the training in ART.
Currently, to become full-body certified in the technique, one must undergo 69 hours of hands-on education from trained instructors and clinicians. Once obtained, retaining certification requires yearly coursework that provides the most up to date information available.
The F.I.T. approach to soft tissue therapy in Kansas City
The doctors at F.I.T. Muscle & Joint Clinic have all been trained in ART and a variety of other soft tissue therapies. Combining these methods with corrective exercises and joint mobility protocols allows us to attain the best results in the shortest time frame.
Other techniques that we utilize include Functional Dry Needling, Graston/FAKTR, KT/Rock Tape, Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS), and Chiropractic adjustments.
Contact F.I.T. today for more information about soft tissue therapy
F.I.T. Muscle & Joint Clinic currently serves Olathe, Overland Park, Shawnee, Lenexa, Leawood, Gardner, Belton, Lees Summit, Blue Springs, Lawrence and the Kansas City metro areas.
Contact us today about active release technique or any of our other therapies. New patients are always welcome at F.I.T. Muscle & Joint Clinic!
