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An effortless stride, a fluid swing, a smooth follow-through. You're looking for relief from a nagging injury or simply to improve the mechanics of your selected activity, ensuring more fluid, efficient movement patterns and increased strength. In short, optimal performance. Can all this be attained with one type of treatment? Yes.
Active Release Techniques (ART) is a revolutionary soft tissue rehabilitation method. ART was developed in 1984 by Dr. Mike Leahy, a Colorado Springs chiropractor with a background in aeronautical engineering in the United States military. Dr. Leahy combined principles used in engineering with his profound knowledge in the areas of human anatomy, physiology and biomechanics to create this remarkable new treatment. Active Release Techniques works by breaking down scar tissue adhesion formed as a result of either acute or overuse injury to the various soft tissues of the body. These injuries result in scar tissue formation in and around the affected soft tissue. This scar tissue formation inhibits the function of the affected tissue and along with causing pain and discomfort also drastically alters biomechanics (movement patterns) reducing performance. Any time an adhesion is present, movement patterns are compromised and functional strength is reduced. As a result, performance is adversely affected. ART works to eliminate incurred fibrosis by applying and maintaining directed tension on a tissue while the affected tissue is actively moved through its full range of motion. This creates a sheering force through which the bonds of adhesion are broken, restoring the natural length, texture and function of the soft tissue. By returning the tissue to its' original non-adhered state the athlete is now able to perform to their utmost physical ability. In a golf swing a reduction of scar tissue could mean a more complete follow through adding distance and accuracy to each shot. By removing fibrosis from the muscle fibers a power athlete such as an Olympic lifter would experience an increase in power output by ensuring that as many muscle fibers as possible are firing with each contraction. For a runner, tri-athlete or other endurance type athlete, removing unwanted adhesion restores more natural movement patterns thereby greatly reducing work output, diminishing fatigue and improving performance. In virtually all sports and activities of daily living, a reduction of scar tissue leads to an increase in performance. Whether you're looking for increased power, reduced fatigue or a more fluid, efficient movement pattern, these can all be achieved by reducing soft tissue adhesions through the use of Active Release Techniques Soft Tissue Management System. Dr. Jay Shephard first brought Active Release Techniques to Alberta in 1997. He is a member of the ELITE PROVIDER NETWORK and one of only a handful of Canadian instructors with the Active Release organization. At his Kensington clinic he has been joined by two additional experienced, fully credentialed ART providers who now make up the treatment team at Shephard Health. The patient base consists of active members of the general public, elite athletes from the PGA, NHL, CFL as well as amateur athletes from beginner to Olympic caliber. |
