ART (Active Release Technique)

Broman Chiropractic offers an effective treatment WITHOUT drugs, braces or surgery for muscle or tendon pain in your shoulders, arms, hands, knees or feet. It's called Active Release Technique or “ART”. ART breaks up adhesions that form in damaged muscle tissue.

What are adhesions?

Adhesions (scar tissue) are the most rudimentary grade of tissue the body manufactures to repair itself. The fibers are much smaller than normal connective tissue and do not have cross linkages. Adhesions create barriers in muscle tissue resulting in poor circulation, weakness, pain and reduced flexibility. Cramping at night and shin splints are typical signs of the lower limbs. Hand and/or arm pain at night are signs of adhesions in tendons of the upper limbs. When a muscle or tendon gets torn, an adhesion forms between the muscle fibers. This adhesion can impair oxygen flow and circulation. Nerves need oxygen. Repeated overuse stirs up inflammation causing chronic, recurring pain.

What is ART?

Doctors trained in ART technique can feel the adhesion and manually relax the muscle while getting under the adhesion with their fingers or thumb. The muscle can then gently be stretched out, breaking up the adhesion causing the pain. The treatment is safe, fast and effective. The technique first releases the muscle and gently stretches it with deep pressure, tissue traction and certain movement patterns. The result, most patients comment, “is one of those hurt so good” feelings. It is usually a pleasant experience for patients who have chronic pain.

Can the pain go away by itself?

Scar tissue impairs vital oxygen and blood supply. If it builds up around or inside a nerve it can cause permanent damage to that nerve. Pain from this scar tissue can become chronic unless a surgeon removes it. After surgery, however, returning to the same activity often causes the scar tissue and pain to return. Any overload of a muscle or tendon causes symptoms to flare up.

Can ART help patients who have had chronic pain for years?

Many patients notice a great improvement in range of motion and decreased pain in a short period of time even if their pain is chronic.

Can ART prevent surgery?

In many cases it can. Most chronic tendonitis problems do not resolve themselves and drugs only treat symptoms. Braces cause dependency and weaken muscles; they also only treat the symptoms. Surgery has complications and risks. It should be considered the last resort after every conservative method of treatment has been tried.

Can ART help if you've already had surgery?

Yes. According to a study done at the Mayo Clinic there is a 70% failure rate with second surgery for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Now there's new hope for people suffering from “failed surgery syndrome.” Common muscle/tendon injuries include:

  • Tendonitis
  • Bursitis
  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
  • Rotator-cuff injuries
  • Plantar fascitis
  • Frozen shoulder
  • Sports injuries/sprains and strains

Dr. Broman has taken several advanced training seminars from Dr. Michael Leahy (inventor of ART) and has been certified in Active Release Techniques®. If you suffer from any of the above muscle/tendon problems and have been living with your pain you owe it to yourself to discover the relief that many have experienced with chiropractic care using the latest developments in soft-tissue injuries with the Active Release Techniques.