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What is Active Release Technique

Active Release Technique (ART) is a patented, state of the art soft tissue system/movement based massage 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 is a movement based massage system, which is extremely effective for accurately defining the condition and effectively treating repetitive strain injuries and strain/sprain type injuries.  This technique is performed by licensed medical professionals such as Dr. Todd Plutchok, D.C.  ART is one of the only medical techniques in North America with a federal process patent, so only certified ART practitioners are permitted to say they mastered the techniques.

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For an Appointment to see how ART can benefit you, Call Doctor Todd Plutchok at (858) 452-3734 or you can email for availability at DrTodd@TheSportsAndWellnessDC.com

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Watch this Video by ART Developer Mike Leahy Discuss ART

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Who Can Benefit

The power of Active Release Techniques lies in its ability to effectively resolve chronic injuries that have not responded to other forms of therapy.  ART can help everyone, from athletes to office workers.  If you are exposed to any form of repetitive strain injury (RSI), ART should be your first choice of conservative care to treat and correct muscular and soft tissues problems that result in adhesive tissues.  We treat many elite to amateur athletes here at The League Chiropractic Clinic, sports such as running, cycling, golf, and result in repetitive actions and your soft tissues must be maintained.  Active Release will enhance Range of Motion which is important to experience improved performance.

If you have a soft tissue injury, your best bet for a complete resolution is to use a combination of Active Release Technique with a solid program of rehabilitative exercises.

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 Active Release Technique is an Effective Treatment for:

Arthritis	Hand Injuries	Post Surgical Rehab
Achilles Tendonitis	Headaches	Repetitive Strain Injuries
Ankle Injuries	Hip Pain	Rib Pain
Back Pain/Injuries	iliotibial band syndrome	Rotator Cuff Syndrome
Bicipital Tendonitis	impingement syndrome	Running Injuries
Bursitis	Joint Dysfunction	Sciatica
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome	Knee/Meniscus Injuries	Shin Splints
Compartment Syndrome	Knee Pain	Shoulder Pain
De Quervains Tenosynovitis	Muscle Pulls or Strains	Swimmer's Shoulder
Foot Pain/Injury	Muscle Weakness	Tendinitis
Frozen Shoulder/Capsulititis	Myofascitis	Tennis Elbow
Gait Imbalances	Neck Pain	Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Golfers/Tennis Elbow Tendonitis	Nerve Entrapment Syndrome	Throwing Injuries
Golf Injuries	Performance Care	TMJ
Hammer Toes	Plantar Fasciitis	Wrist Injury

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What does a ART treatment feel like?

Every ART session is actually a combination of examination and treatment. The ART provider uses his or her hands to evaluate the texture, tightness and movement of muscles, fascia, tendons, ligaments and nerves. Once the cause of the pain is found then the provider follows a series of hands on treatment protocols to break up the scar tissue, which has caused muscles to adhere together and/or to entrap a nerve.  Abnormal tissues are treated by combining precisely directed tension with very specific patient movements.

ART treatments take about 8-15 minutes per area treated and may require between 3 to 10 visits. Patients often claim the process "hurts-good!" and Doctor Todd Plutchok, D.C. will check and make sure the treatment is within your specific comfort level.

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Understanding Repetitive Strain

Cumulative trauma and overuse of soft-tissue causes Repetitive Stress Injuries (RSI).  The disassociation between our genetic makeup and or current lifestyle requirements is largely responsible for the maladaptive expression of RSI

Recently, the health care costs for RSI in the U.S. surpassed costs for low back pain as the largest health care expenditure. It is estimated that the cost of RSI's in the US alone exceeds $110 billion yearly.

Soft tissue that is forced to perform the same job over and over becomes irritated and then inflamed. The body responds to inflammation by laying down scar tissue (adhesive tissue) in an attempt to stabilize the area. Once this happens, an ongoing cycle begins that worsens the condition. The longer this condition persists, the harder is is to break this cycle.

Over-used muscles (and other soft tissues) change in three important ways:

• acute conditions (pulls, tears, collisions, etc)
• accumulation of small tears (micro-trauma)
• not getting enough oxygen (hypoxia)

Each of these factors can cause your body to produce tough, dense scar tissue in the affected area. This scar tissue binds up and ties down tissues that need to move freely. As scar tissue builds up, muscles become shorter and weaker, tension on tendons causes tendonitis, and nerves can become trapped. This can cause reduced range of motion, loss of strength, and pain. If a nerve is trapped you may also feel tingling, numbness, and weakness.

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Make an Appointment

By Phone

Call us at (858) 452-3734 and our helpful front office staff will be happy to assist you in making an appointment with Doctor Todd Plutchok, D.C.

E-mail Us With Your Appointment Request

You can email us with your appointment request here by emailing  DrTodd@TheSportsAndWellnessDC.com.  Just send us your Name, Email Address, and Phone Number, with your desired time.  Initial Visits normally last 45-55 minutes.  For normal clinic hours, click here.

Download New Patient Admittance Forms

Please Click on the links below to download our New Patient Admittance Forms.  Take a few moments to fill out the forms before your appointment, and give the forms to our office staff.  You can fax them to (858)-452-6666