Active Release Techniques relieves pain and treats soft tissue injuries restoring normal function

A.R.T. treats chronic pain, sports injuries such as shin splints, piriformis syndrome, and iliotibial band friction syndrome (ITBS), repetitive strain, carpal tunnel syndrome, whiplash, back pain, nerve entrapment, sciatica, and other soft tissue injuries. It is a revolutionary patented system of therapy proven extremely effective in treating muscle, tendon, ligament, and nerve conditions. As a certified Active Release Techniques provider, Dr. Stephen LaScala provides the highest standards in soft tissue treatment. If pain from repetitive strain, sports injuries, or cumulative trauma disorders has stopped you from reaching your optimal sports performance or has developed into chronic pain, Active Release Techniques can eliminate your pain and restore normal function.

How A.R.T. helps injuries

Injuries to soft tissue (ligaments, muscles, nerves) due to acute trauma or overuse result in inflammation and swelling in the area. This inflammation and swelling causes an increase in tension and internal pressure on surrounding structures. In order to stabilize the area, the body lays down scar tissue cross fibers. Scar tissue:

Restricts motion between muscle layers and nerves
Decreases circulation
Increases internal pressure and tension on the structures in the area
With nerve restriction, pain, numbness, and tingling can occur
Shortens muscles which tends to make them weak

This altered tissue tension and texture leads to pain, faulty mechanics, and a frustrating decrease in performance. A.R.T. removes scar tissue thereby eliminating pain and restoring normal muscle and nerve function.

A.R.T. treats over 300 muscular injuries and 100 nerve entrapments including damage to muscles, nerves, tendons, and ligaments:

Back Pain

Shoulder Pain
Elbow Pain (tennis and golf elbow)
Hip Pain
Knee Pain
Neck trauma (whiplash)
Headaches
Ankle and foot pain
Hand and arm pain (carpal tunnel syndrome)

The science behind injury and A.R.T.

After an acute or chronic injury, the body naturally responds to restore normal function. These progressive stages are represented in four steps: inflammation, repair, remodeling, and maturation.

The body responds to injury by increasing circulation to the area of trauma in order to control damage and remove the irritant. Fibrous tissue is laid down by fibroblasts early on in the cycle. The repair process produces a fibrous scar that is structurally and functionally deficient.

During the remodeling and maturation phase, the body attempts to organize and orient the newly deposited fibers in order to produce healthy tissue. However, it has been shown that mechanical loading techniques such as A.R.T. help produce an increased wound strength which is less likely to be re-injured. Additionally, mechanical loading along the lines of the muscle fibers by A.R.T. results in stronger healed tissues, whereas immobilization of healing wounds, according to research, results in weaker tissues.

A.R.T. can be applied soon after injury to help decrease inflammation and orient the muscle fibers for optimal recovery.

Contact Dr. LaScala to find out if A.R.T. can help you.

Read more about A.R.T.

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Active Release Techniques Stephen G. LaScala