Active Release Techniques

Active Release Techniques® is a unique form of manual therapy administered by trained professionals to damaged soft tissue, restoring movement and eliminating pain.

How does it work? Muscles are composed of tiny filaments of tissue that run parallel to one another, allowing each muscle to move freely. When a muscle is injured, these filaments tear. Some muscle tissue injuries are sudden like tears and sprain/strains. Others are the result of “cumulative trauma” like carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, and bursitis. Regardless of the cause, the body reacts to the injury in a similar way, by filling the damaged area with inferior tissue known as fibrous adhesions. Adhesions can develop between muscles or within muscles. Still, the result is the same—the once parallel filaments of muscle tissue get bound together so they no longer slide and glide freely, impairing movement and causing pain.

ART is the first and only treatment designed specifically to treat these soft tissue problems. Combining an understanding of biomechanics and movement with hands-on manual mobilization and manipulation techniques, ART allows the practitioner to go right to the heart of the problem and resolve it quickly and effectively.

ART was developed by Michael Leahy, DC, CCSP. Active Release Techniques® has a federally protected patent. Members of the College of Providers are the only ones permitted to use the term Active Release Techniques (ART) and the associated treatment protocols. For more information on ART please visit www.activereleasetechniques.com.

Graston Technique

Graston Technique® is the original instrument assisted soft tissue mobilization technique. The Graston Technique® incorporates a patented form of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization that enables clinicians to effectively detect and treat scar tissue and restrictions that affect normal function.

The Graston Technique Instruments, while enhancing the clinician’s ability to detect fascial adhesions and restrictions, have been successfully proven to achieve quicker and better outcomes in treating both acute and chronic conditions, including:

• Cervical sprain/strain (neck pain)
• Lumbar sprain/strain (back pain)
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (wrist pain)
• Plantar Fascitis (foot pain)
• Lateral Epicondylitis (tennis elbow)
• Medial Epicondylitis (golfer’s elbow)
• Rotator Cuff Tendonitis (shoulder pain)
• Patellofemoral Disorders (knee pain)
• Achilles Tendonitis (ankle pain)
• Post-Surgery Scarring/Fibrosis
• Repetitive Stress Injuries
• Scar Tissue Formation/Adhesions
• Chronically Tight of Shortened Muscles
• Shin Splints

THE ERCHONIA COLD LASER

Cold Laser therapy is low level light therapy which helps reduce healing times. A laser is a focused beam of light that emits photon energy. When the light is focused properly, all the photons are traveling the same direction and at the same wavelength; this is known as coherent light. Within the injured musculoskeletal tissue, low-level laser light initiates microcirculation, and enhanced tissue regeneration. The overall effects are decreased pain and inflammation, and increased range of motion. When the body has an injury the cells are damaged and fail to function within normal parameters. Low level lasers penetrate deeply into the skin and work by restoring this abnormal cellular function. Physiologic effects include improved metabolism, circulation and tissue healing.