Beginner's Guide on Active Release Techniques: Benefits and Who Should Consider It
/Do you ever feel like you're making the same New Year's resolutions over and over? Are you looking for new ways to shed some weight and deal with chronic pain?
If you're looking to make a breakthrough with your health, you might want to consider chiropractic care. Surprisingly, chiropractic adjustments are even more popular than therapeutic massages!
In this article, we'll give you the inside scoop on Active Release Techniques, a type of care provided by chiropractors, physical therapists, athletic trainers, MDs, DOs, massage therapists, and more. We'll also help you get started with a local chiropractor.
What Conditions Can Chiropractors Treat?
Chiropractors treat a wide range of illnesses. They see patients with:
Injuries from car accidents
Back and neck problems
Sciatica
Herniated discs
Arthritis
One of the best things about chiropractic care is that you don't have to wait for an illness to go in for a session.
If you do have serious pain, however, don't wait to schedule an appointment. In general, if you're having more than three migraines per week, it's time to see the chiropractor.
Back pain is another common reason to see your chiropractor. The average American adult with back pain misses more than a week of work per year.
If your back or neck pain has caused you to miss work in the last few months, it's time to schedule an appointment.
If you're not sure whether a chiropractor can treat your condition, just call and ask the office. They may ask you to come in for a face-to-face consultation.
What Is ART Muscle Therapy?
Active Release Techniques goes by a few names including ART, Active Release Techniques, and Manual Adhesion Release. It's one of the many types of therapy chiropractors can provide.
ART is similar to deep tissue massage because it focuses on realigning your spine and releasing old pain. ART helps break down the internal scar tissue, sometimes called "adhesions," that form after an injury, allowing you to:
Breathe more deeply
Stretch more fully
Sleep better
Live with less pain
ART can be used to treat numbness in the hands and feet, disorders like carpal tunnel syndrome, and even internal scarring from previous back surgeries.
Chiropractic care is a gentle way to coax your spine and skeleton back into alignment. Your body naturally wants to heal and rid itself of scar tissue: it just needs a little bit of help to get there.
If you've been told that you need back surgery, you might want to talk to a chiropractor about other options.
Benefits of Active Release Techniques
Whether you suffer from migraines, lower back pain, or poor circulation, you're a good candidate for Active Release Techniques. If you're pregnant or have diabetes, consult with your chiropractor before you schedule a session.
Athletes are also good candidates for ART Muscle Therapy. Even Olympians get chiropractic adjustments to deal with repetitive motion injuries and slight sprains.
Olympic runner Usain Bolt, in fact, used chiropractic adjustments to treat his scoliosis and avoid back surgery.
The long-term benefits of the Active Release Techniques will vary from person to person. In general, you should have a greater range of motion in your joints.
We may not realize how much scar tissue we have until it's released and we can move freely again.
If you've been involved in a car accident, for example, you may feel like you've healed most of the way. Your external scars are gone, but your ligaments and tendons may have taken some damage.
You may be able to cut down or eliminate your pain medication, and you may find that you have more energy during the day. ART is not a quick-fix therapy, but you should notice a difference after five to 10 sessions.
What To Expect from Active Release Techniques
If you've never been to a chiropractor before, there are a few things you should do beforehand.
First, check with your insurance company to see if your treatment will be covered. More than 85 percent of all insurance companies cover chiropractic care.
When you go in for your first visit, you will probably be asked about your health history and major illnesses. The chiropractor will need to know how intense your pain is and where it's located.
In addition to questions about your health, your chiropractor may ask you which medications you're taking. It's best to bring a list to your first appointment.
Next, they may take x-rays or ask you to move around a little bit. The reason they may ask to see you sitting and standing is to see if your spine is off balance.
They may also ask you to lay down on an examination table to check your shoulder alignment. If one shoulder is much higher than the other, it's a clear indication that you need an adjustment.
If you want to try Active Release Techniques, talk to your chiropractor about it during your first appointment.
In general, you should wear loose clothing and try to drink a lot of water when you have an adjustment or treatment scheduled. You will be able to drive after your appointment but you might want to line up a ride in case you're a little bit sore.
How to Find a Reputable Local Chiropractor
To get started with Active Release Therapy, you'll need to find a great Chiropractor. You may wish to ask friends and family for recommendations or talk to your personal care physician about a referral. There are some chiropractic offices that do not provide ART, so make sure to ask before you schedule your appointment.
At Carolina Active Health we have a holistic approach to improving your health and can help you make dietary changes. As we stabilize your spine and open up your posture, we'll be able to make recommendations for exercises as well.
We're committed to providing world-class care to our patients and improving their quality of life. What would you do if you had less neck and back pain? We'd like to help you find out.
To make your appointment, fill out our patient intake form or give us a call at (864) 881 - 2242. We're looking forward to meeting you!