Active Release Technique® (ART®) is most widely known among professional and elite athletes for it's fast and effective help with sports injuries and performance care. There are over 500 ART® protocols for the spine, upper and lower extremity, and the most common peripheral nerve entrapment sites. Certified providers must learn all these protocols which requires expert knowledge of anatomy and neurology, highly skilled palpation, and a thorough understanding of clinical biomechanics.

ART® is a patented, state-of-the-art soft tissue system/movement-based technique that treats problems with muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia, and nerves. Headaches, back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, shin splints, shoulder pain, sciatica, plantar fasciitis, knee problems, and tennis elbow are just a few of the many conditions that can be resolved quickly and permanently with ART®. These conditions all have one important thing in common: they are often a result of overused muscles.

ART® was developed specifically to deal with muscle and fascial injury and dysfunction. The use and abuse of the human body can damage muscles, tendons, ligaments, and nerves. In response, your body tries to repair the damaged area. The build-up of scar tissue over time results in the formation of fibrous adhesions, which prevent muscles and joints from moving freely. These adhesions can often entrap a nerve or refer pain to other parts of the body. 

There are 4 types of processes that occur:
Injuries: Like tearing from an acute muscle pull or strain.
Micro Trauma: The accumulation of small tears in tissue from over-use.
Hypoxia: Low oxygen levels in chronically tight tissues like trigger points.
Excessive Friction: Occurs in areas of chronic tension, overuse and in fibrotic build-up.

Over time, the build-up of scar tissue adhesions will cause noticeable symptoms like pain and weakness, chronic tightness, burning and/or aches; and a gradual limited range of motion develops. However, long before symptoms are felt, athletic performance is influenced this is especially true for distance athletes.

Performance Care 

ART® Performance Care is a unique approach to helping you perform at your best while training and competing. Efficient movement is the key to optimum performance. When your muscles are moving fully and freely, your performance will be enhanced. For example, the extreme demands of Ironman training and competition can damage muscle.

When muscle is overused, it tends to shorten. This is a result of fibrous scar tissue, or adhesions, that build up within muscles and between muscle fibers. Normal muscle acts like a bundle of rubber bands - able to shorten and lengthen freely. When a muscle is overused, scar tissue adhesions build up.

ART® is a state-of-the-art soft tissue treatment system designed specifically to identify and treat scar tissue adhesions. While it is the treatment of choice for injuries to muscles, tendons, nerves, etc, ART® Performance Care is unique in the healthcare industry because it allows an athlete to have his or her performance evaluated, biomechanically, and corrected through treatment.

As a trained and certified ART® biomechanics provider Dr. Patrick O'Shea will observe a runner and determine which muscles are hindering the performance. By combining this evaluation with patented ART® treatment protocols, ART® providers can treat scar tissue adhesions and help an athlete perform at his or her best.