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Posted 6/5/2008 2:14 PM (GMT 0)
Hello everyone. I asked this question on the fibro board but wanted to hear from you folks also. To make a long story short my orthopedic guy has decided to send me to a chiroprctor that specialized in the technique called active release therapy(ART) to address my many soft tissue and muscle imbalance issues. I was wondering if anyone here has ever had ART and how things went with that. Thanks for your input and help.   Lisa
Posted 6/5/2008 9:31 PM (GMT 0)
Hi geckogirl,

Sorry but I have not heard of this therapy. Chiropracters and myself do not get along. They have caused me more pain in the end. Good luck though. A lot of people swear by chiropractors.

Lindaloo
Posted 6/5/2008 10:41 PM (GMT 0)
Linda, From what I understand ART is not based on spinal manipulation. It's goal isn't to re-align the spine but rather to help break-up scar tissue and adhesions within the muscles, tendons, fascia and ligaments through-out the body. Earlier this year I was to a chiropractor that used a hand held instrument called an activator to do the spinal adjustments. I too ended up in more pain than before I went. I am praying that this will have a different outcome. If not at least I can say that I tried one more thing to get improvement. I never want anyone to be able to say that I didn't try my best to get better and be right so I will continue on with the fight. Lisa
Posted 6/6/2008 2:17 AM (GMT 0)
Geckogirl - I have heard of ART and that if done by a qualified professional it can be helpful. I've not had it (that I know of, although I think my physical therapist did some similar things). Mostly I've heard of physical therapists doing it because as you said it has more to do with muscles. If there was a PT trained in it, I'd opt for that rather than a chiro.

PaLady
Posted 6/6/2008 2:23 AM (GMT 0)
I go to an ART specialist.  He's 100x better than any chiropractor who just cracks your back and takes your money.  My doc does do the typical chiropractor bone cracking stuff, but he gets even more specific and works with your muscles/tendons/tissue.  My doc actually busts his tail and earns his keep when working on me.... I don't see how his thumbs still work.

Posted 6/7/2008 3:02 PM (GMT 0)
Lady, I've been to many PT's over the years for the same issues that I'm seeing this ART speicalist for and now, at least I feel that we are all on the same page. Just about every PT I've worked with thought the doctor or I didn't know what we were talking about. Very frustrating and counter-productive obviously since I still have the same problems. My ortho and I have been telling these people(PT's) for several years and they have been ingoring it. This chiro actually agreed with what I and the ortho thought was going on- what a relief!!!! I just had my first session yesterday so it's of course too early to pass judgement on anything but I am willing to give it a fair try. Murray, I agree with you. I don't think a regular chiro would really be all that helpful for my issues because it has so much to do with the soft tissue. The chiro who did the activator made things worse. Lisa
Posted 6/18/2008 3:55 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone. I have now had 6 sessions of ART and thought I would give the update on the experience so far. Actually my sessions have been more than just ART. I have had ultra-sound, hot packs and cold laser therapies, a few adjustments to my spine, pelvis and hip, Graston (which uses a tool to help break up scar tissue) and ART. They have been taking good care of me. The best way I can describe ART is to say that it is like a combo of passive range-of-motion, stretching and trigger point release therapy. A helper moves my leg in a very specific way while the chiro puts pressure on a specific muscle, tendon or ligament. It does hurt a little but that soon passes. After my first session though my body was like "OMG, what was that?" but now it is a minor, short-lived issue. It took 6 years to get this bad so 6 treatments isn't going to fix it but I do think things are on the upturn. I don't know how much things will improve but at least I'm not worse off than when I started. That has happened many times before with pt and the other chiro I saw. I guess what I really want to say to you all is that I would strongly encourage anyone with soft tissue injuries to look into ART to improve function and reduce the pain from that problem. I just wish I had done this a few years ago. Lisa
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