Chicago Active Release Technique (ART)

ART focuses on soft tissues by manipulating scar tissue to help release the tension, leaving you with healthier tissue. In doing so, it increases blood circulation and decreases pain. Scar tissue is tough collagen that the body creates as a result of an injury. Without treatment, it can continue for years unless it is dealt with.

Typically, ART is done in combination with other therapies. It can be as short as 5 minutes if we only have to cover a couple structures or nerves, or as long as 30 minutes for complex protocols. Each appointment may vary based on the specific area or ailment receiving attention. Your chiropractor will advise you to take a specific position. Manual tension will be used while you are asked to move your body in a particular way.

The idea is to get targeted pressure on the areas that are causing issues by producing a longitudinal sliding motion. Treatment using ART shows results rather quickly — with many patients seeing results after their very first treatment. This could be an increased sense of muscle strength, a reduction in pain, an increased range of motion, or less numbness and tingling.

Most patients have between one and six sessions of ART, though it can vary greatly from patient to patient. On the surface, ART and massage may seem similar — but the two are different. ART is very specific in the areas that it targets and it achieves very specific results. It is not always used in addition to chiropractic care, but they actually work well together to restore balance while allowing healing to take place.