ART® is a state-of-the art soft tissue movement based massage technique used to manage problems that arise in the muscles, tendons, fascia, ligaments, and nerves of the body. The ART provider uses his or her hands to evaluate the texture, tightness and movement of these structures. Abnormal tissues are then treated by combining precisely directed tension with very specific patient movements. Headaches, back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, shin splints, shoulder pain, sciatica, plantar fasciitis, knee problems, and tennis elbow are just a few of the many conditions that can be resolved quickly and permanently with ART. These conditions all have one important thing in common: they are often a result of overused muscles.
How do these overused muscles occur? Our muscles (and other soft tissues) can change in three ways. They can change from acute conditions including pulls, tears, collisions, etc. Accumulation of small tears (micro-trauma), or from 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 tendonitis, 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. ART aims to locate this scar tissue and remove the adhesions so your muscles and nerves can move and work freely.
