Making action films has really been tough on my body. Thanks to Dr. Donato and Active Release Techniques, I'm able to perform and, I feel great!Danny Glover, Professional Actor
OPTIMIZE YOUR RUNNING EXPERIENCE WITH ACTIVE RELEASE TECHNIQUES
What did 9 time USA National 100K Team Member and HMRRC Hall of Fame member Daniele Cherniak do when chronic problems severely compromised her running?
“For more than three years, I struggled with biomechanical and balance problems that greatly inhibited my ability to run downhill. I was unable to race and even had to avoid some of my favorite running routes. I went to orthopedists, physical therapists, chiropractors, a podiatrist and even a neurologist, but no one could find a cause of the problem or help me
improve. A running acquaintance recommended Active Release Therapy, and I made an appointment with Dr. Donato. I was not sure what to expect given the lack of success with other forms of treatment, but over the next few months I experienced gradual improvement, something that had not happened previously. This continued, and over the past year the progress I have made in recovery is little short of phenomenal. I am truly grateful to Dr. Donato, and highly recommend Active Release
Therapy as a treatment for many common (and not so common) running injuries.”
The situation Daniele found herself in was “not so uncommon” in reality. Running injuries are progressive, sometimes debilitating conditions that develop and worsen over time. Initially, the most important factor in Daniele's treatment was isolating ranges of motion that had become limited or altered. Ultimately her condition stemmed from these motion issues. Utilizing Active Release Techniques (A.R.T.), I reduced the scar tissue that had formed in overused soft tissues, caused shortening of these structures and resulted in compensatory movement patterns.
At this stage, Daniele was capable of reintegrating these lost ranges into her gait. Her biomechanical and balance problems began to resolve as motion improved.
This case was very similar to many I see in my office daily. Solutions are often discovered in the lost or weakened ranges of motion.
What is Active Release Techniques?
A.R.T. is a patented, state of the art soft tissue system/movement based massage technique that treats problems with muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia and nerves. Conditions such as headaches, back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, shin splints, rotator cuff conditions, sciatica, plantar fasciitis, knee problems, and tennis elbow are just a few of the many conditions that can be resolved with A.R.T. All of these conditions have one thing in common: they are often the result of overused muscles.
The Effects of Overuse and Repetitive Stress:
Over-used muscles (and other soft tissues) change in three important ways:
Each of these factors can cause your body to produce tough, dense scar tissue in the affected area. As the scar tissue builds up, mucles become shorter and weaker, losing normal flexibility. Added tension on tendons from this shortening causes tendonitis and pain. Additionally, because of their close interaction with muscles, nerves can become entrapped. If a nerve is entrapped you may also feel tingling, numbness, and weakness.
Commonly, repetitive stress causes tightening of the overused soft tissues. Scar tissue develops in these structures further limiting normal function. Continued overuse produces changes in biomechanics and
compensations. And finally, inflammation, spasm and pain occur.
What is an A.R.T. Treatment like?
Every A.R.T. Session is actually a combination of examination and treatment. It is essential to evaluate the texture, tightness and movement of muscles, fascia, tendons, ligaments and nerves. Abnormal tissues are treated by combining precisely directed tension with very specific patient movements. The goal is to isolate the scar tissue in
a muscle or between muscles and reduce the effects on active motions.
The treatment protocols – over 500 specific moves – are unique to A.R.T. They allow a provider the ability to identify and correct specific problems affecting each individual patient. A.R.T. is a unique and comprehensive
approach.
Why resting doesn't always work:
Because the question of rest is so common, I want to briefly address why this is often an ineffective approach. And for clarity, the issue is resting in the absence of an effective treatment plan. As opposed to reducing mileage and/or complete rest, which can be necessary to healing and recovery.
So,why not just take some time off, give the area a breather so it can heal? In a few weeks lace 'em up and hope for the best. The old treatment plan of just “stop doing what your doing” isn't effective. I know many runners feel like they are left with or given no other option. But this approach does not take into account the fact that an injury has developed over time. The pain, inflammation and spasm is merely your body's way of telling you that something is wrong.It's necessary to undo what has been done for a successful resolution.
The shortening and scar tissue formation that hinders soft tissue flexibility is caused and aggravated by the activity of running. When you stop running and avoid the motion that highlights that loss of range, you avoid the irritating mechanism. When you go back to the causative action the pain and irritation returns because the effecting mechanism is still in place. You just thought it was better because you avoided putting the affected area(s) through ranges that have become difficult to accomplish.
Reducing and/or eliminating the specific spot or areas in the soft tissues that have lost flexibility is the key to reintegrating that motion into a functional range. As long as that area remains tight or immobile, there will always be a hitch in your giddy up that will be a fertile environment for injury. While it's possible that pain and inflammation from an injury may subside with rest, avoiding the activity that created the problem won't correct what is ultimately causing the active symptoms. You've got to correct the cause.
If you are interested in learning more about Active Release Techniques (A.R.T.) and how this approach can help with treatment of an injury or in improving function and performance, please contact my office at 518.580.1233.
"Treat the Cause, Not the Symptoms."