ART® is a highly successful approach to the diagnosis and treatment of muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves and fascia, known as soft tissue. It is effective for low back pain, neck pain, elbow tendonosis, rotator cuff tendonosis, knee pain, shin splints, carpal tunnel syndrome, running injuries and numerous other conditions. Many professional athletes have been using ART® for years.

ART® is a change in the basic understanding of soft tissue injury. It gives the doctor the insight necessary to identify and correct the root cause of a problem. Unlike other treatment methods, the patient is an active participant in ART®.

ART® and the doctor

Treatment with Active Release Techniques® is exclusively "hands on." There are no unwanted side effects from medication or surgical complications.  ART® doctors are trained to identify areas of scar tissue by the way it feels -- like a tight area in the soft tissue with an altered texture and decreased movement.

How injuries are identified

It is important to assess the patient as a whole.  Usually the site of pain is the result and not the cause of dysfunction.  It is important to functionally assess the patient in order to determine why the affected tissue is injured.

In cases of carpal tunnel syndrome, for example, the doctor may check for injury along the entire length of the nerve, including the forearm, arm and neck. Identification and treatment of all involved areas often results in quick, complete resolution.

The scar tissue connection

When a muscle, tendon, or ligament is injured, the body forms scar tissue (commonly called adhesions). Scar tissue is how the body connects and binds injured tissue. Unfortunately, that same scar tissue often sticks to surrounding structures like "glue." If a nerve runs through a muscle in the spot where scar tissue has formed, the nerve can be pinched or pulled by that adhesion, causing it to create syptoms. The resulting limited motion overworks healthy tissue, also leading to pain.

Other causes of scar tissue

Scar tissue can also result from overuse of muscles, tendons and ligaments. Overuse causes an increase of tension in the tissues. This decreases the blood supply, causing the body to form adhesions. What does all this mean? Poor posture, improper form during exercise and athletic pursuits and repetitive overuse of soft tissues can result in still more scar tissue.

How ART® works

ART® uses movement of the patient to increase tension on scar tissue. It is the most effective way to break up adhesions. Every ART® session is a combination of examination and treatment, which identifies the soft tissue that has been injured.

In Practice

Dr. Inesta finds where scar tissue is holding muscles, tendons or ligament fibers together restricting normal motion. By strategically applying tension, he works with the patient to create a very deep stretch at the adhered area. Normal function is restored with multiple treatments.

The ART® Difference

ART® not only treats the right tissues, but the exact area of the scar within each tissue. Unlike massage or myofascial release, ART® has over 500 specific protocols to treat the affected areas of the body.

Why doesn't the pain go away by itself?

The body has no mechanism to reduce scar tissue naturally. It requires treatment. Although the body can sometimes adapt to, and tolerate, a certain amount or scar tissue, it will not function optimally and can cause further injury.

How long does treatment take?

Most sessions require only 10 to 15 minutes to complete. Depending on how long the individual has had the injury, the number of treatments almost always falls between 2 and 20, with an average of 8 to 10.

Do I have to keep coming back?

Once scar tissue is treated, the tissues are usually as healthy as in their uninjured state. In most people, with proper exercise, the injury does not return. However, unless the activity that causes the scar tissue to form initially is modified, it can return. Therefore, some people do need occasional follow-ups.