Active Release Technique is a type of soft tissue manipulation treatment used to break up scar tissue, also called adhesions. It is a patented massage technique where a patient moves muscles or ligaments while the practitioner applies pressure to the affected area. Doing this allows the practitioner to engage the structure as it moves beneath the pressure of their contact allowing them to treat problems with muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia and nerves. Since there are over 500 different moves that make up the treatment procedures used in ART, each treatment is unique to each patient.

ART on the levator scapular to help release tension and increase range of motion.

ART infraspinatus (rotator cuff) release to increase shoulder range of motion; great for tennis players, baseball players and swimmers.

ART on the rectus femoris and hip flexor stretch to lengthen tight hips and help increase stride length for running.

ART of the quads and ITB interface releases restrictions that limit range of motion and power.

Instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM) involves the use of specifically designed tools, typically made of stainless steel, that enable the practitioner to efficiently locate and treat soft-tissue dysfunction. The use of these tools enables the practitioner to create a controlled inflammatory process, which will allow the tissue to begin the healing process, breaking down the scar tissue/adhesions in the troubled area, and accelerate the recovery process.

Using the Gavilan wing tool to break down adhesions on the levator scapular.

Tooling the upper trapezius helps release tension while increasing range of motion and circulation.

Using the Graston handlebar tool with the knee flexed to treat tight quads and relieve knee pain.

Using the handlebar tool on the quads in a passive position to reach the deeper fibers and the vastus intermedius.

FAKTR, pronounced “factor”, stands for Functional and Kinetic Treatment with Rehab and is actually a concept, not a technique. This concept uses manual and IASTM techniques to locate and remove myofascial adhesions and restrictions and is combined with rehabilitation exercises to strengthen the tissues while the restrictions are being removed.

Gavilan tooling in motion while client is in triangle pose. Treating the sideline fascia on stretch mobilizes tissues for better range of motion.

ART of the scalense while using light therapy to treat sore neck muscles. This FAKTR technique releases tight muscles, trigger points and increases range of motion.

Treating the vastus medialis and the meniscus for smoother knee function.

Applying KT tape (blue tape) to turn on the infraspinatus, and the stronger dynamic tape (tan tape) to turn off the overactive trapezius.

Myofascial Release is a hands-on technique that involves applying gentle sustained pressure into the myofascial connective tissue to facilitate the release of the fascia helping to eliminate pain and restore flexibility and motion.

Using gentle tension on the pec minor fascia to release the neck and shoulder.

Slow deep tissue to release the deep posterior line.

Neuromuscular therapy is also called trigger point myotherapy. It consists of alternating levels of concentrated pressure on the areas of strain in the muscle (trigger points). The therapist applies pressure using either their fingers, knuckles, or elbow. Once applied, the pressure will remain constant for ten to thirty seconds.

Using firm finger pressure on trigger points to release the knots, increase the blood flow and free up the tissue for better range of motion. Trigger points are often responsible for referral pain, tight mucscles, and poor posture.

Developed as a form of rehabilitation, Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) is a more advanced form of flexibility training that involves both the stretching and contraction of the muscle group being targeted.

All PNF stretching requires is that you stretch a muscle and then forcefully contract that muscle before stretching it again. As you move into the stretch after the contraction, you should be able to stretch further than you did before. This allows you to create more length in the muscle and receive a greater flexibility benefit from the stretch.

Utilizing PNF to help release tight muscles, increase range of motion and retrain the CNS (Central Nervous system).

Lengthening the hamstring using PNF.

Lengthening the hamstring using PNF.

Structural Integration takes a holistic approach and rebalances the entire body structure, recognizing that the body is an interconnected system of interdependent parts.

Using soft tissue manipulation and movement, Rolfing is aimed at improving body alignment and functioning. Practitioners are trained to create overall ease and balance throughout the entire structure, rather than just focusing on the areas with tension.

Using gentle manipulation to realign structures and improve mechanics.

Deep tissue massage uses firm pressure and slow strokes to reach deeper layers of muscle and fascia in the body. To begin the treatment, light pressure is generally applied to warm up and prep the muscles. Specific techniques such as stripping and friction are then applied.

The stripping technique uses deep, gliding pressure along the length of the muscle fibers using the elbow, forearm, knuckles, and thumbs. Friction refers to pressure applied across the grain of a muscle to release adhesions and realign tissue fibers.

Deep tissue massage has several therapeutic effects and can be used to treat many different conditions.

Having the patients arm behind the back exposes the full length of the mid traps and rhomboids. Slow deep compressions are used to access the deeper tissue that often hold the most stubborn pathologies.

Using firm pressure to treat the deep layers of the hamstrings.