Active Release Technique for Sports Injuries and Chronic Pain in Stuart, FL
Pain and tightness can make it difficult to stay active, whether you are training for your next race, playing golf or pickleball, working out at the gym or simply trying to get through your daily routine comfortably. When muscles, tendons, ligaments or other soft tissues are contributing to the problem, Active Release Techniques may be an effective part of your treatment plan.
Precision Chiropractic and Rehab is the leading practice for sports injuries in Stuart, Palm City, Jupiter and the surrounding areas of Martin and Palm Beach counties. Led by Dr. Kurt Barnhill and Dr. Chelsea Hollingsworth, our team includes avid athletes who are passionate about keeping their community healthy. Our team is dedicated to helping athletes like you overcome pain and get back in the game stronger than ever.
What Is Active Release Technique?
Active Release Techniques, commonly known as ART, is a specialized hands-on treatment designed to address problems involving muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia and nerves.
Soft tissue can become irritated or restricted due to an acute injury, repetitive movement, overuse or poor movement patterns. These restrictions can contribute to pain, tightness, reduced range of motion and difficulty performing certain activities.
ART combines precise pressure with specific patient movements. Rather than simply working on the area where you feel pain, the goal is to identify the soft tissue contributing to the problem and help restore normal movement and function.
Why Athletes Use ART for Injury Recovery
Athletes repeatedly place stress on their muscles and joints. Running, cycling, golf, tennis, pickleball, weight training and other activities all involve repetitive movements that can eventually lead to tightness or overuse injuries.
ART can be particularly helpful because treatment is focused on the specific muscles and soft tissues involved in your movement.
At Precision Chiropractic and Rehab, ART may be incorporated into treatment for:
- Running injuries
- Sports injuries
- Muscle strains and tightness
- Tendon and ligament problems
- Shoulder pain
- Hip and knee pain
- Plantar fasciitis
- Tennis elbow
- Neck and back pain
- Sciatica
- Overuse injuries
Treatment is individualized based on your condition, activity level and goals.
ART Isn’t Just for Athletes
Despite its popularity among athletes, you don’t need to be training for a race or competing in a sport to benefit from Active Release Technique.
Repetitive movements happen in everyday life, too. Sitting at a computer, performing the same tasks at work, lifting, driving or even spending long periods looking down at a phone can place repeated stress on muscles and soft tissues.
For someone who has been dealing with chronic neck or back discomfort, for example, simply receiving repeated adjustments may not address every factor contributing to the problem. ART allows Dr. Barnhill to evaluate and treat soft tissue restrictions that may be affecting movement or causing recurring discomfort.
That comprehensive approach is something Precision Chiropractic and Rehab patients notice.
What Precision Chiropractic and Rehab Patients Say About ART
Sarah Deggeller shared her experience after dealing with chronic neck pain for years:
“Dr Kurt is awesome! I’ve had chronic neck pain for years and he is the first chiropractor who works to relieve the discomfort rather than just getting me in for a weekly adjustment.”
Sarah went on to explain that Dr. Barnhill works to treat the source of her discomfort using the treatment most appropriate for her needs, including adjustments, ART, exercises and stretches or physical therapy with Dr. Chelsea Hollingsworth.
Another patient, Rebecca McPherson, experienced ART as part of a much larger rehabilitation process surrounding knee replacement surgery.
Rebecca described how physical therapy with Dr. Chelsea Hollingsworth helped prepare her before surgery and was “enhanced by my ART treatments from Kurt, DC.” Following surgery, she continued her rehabilitation with Dr. Grace and described Precision Chiropractic and Rehab as a “Great place for recovery!”
These experiences highlight an important part of the Precision approach: treatment isn’t limited to one technique. Chiropractic care, ART and physical therapy can work together when appropriate to address different aspects of recovery.
Combining ART With Chiropractic Care and Physical Therapy
One of the benefits of choosing Precision Chiropractic and Rehab is access to multiple treatment options within one practice.
ART may be combined with chiropractic care, physical therapy, dry needling, massage therapy, rehabilitation exercises and other treatments depending on your individual needs.
For example, chiropractic treatment may address joint mobility and alignment while ART focuses specifically on restricted soft tissue. Physical therapy can then help improve strength, stability and movement patterns.
This integrated approach is especially valuable for athletes and active adults because the goal isn’t simply temporary relief. The team wants to understand why the problem developed and what needs to change to help you move better going forward.
What to Expect During ART Treatment
Your treatment begins with an assessment. Dr. Barnhill will discuss your symptoms and health history and evaluate the area causing problems.
During ART treatment, he uses precise hands-on techniques while guiding you through specific movements. Unlike a passive massage, you will typically participate by moving the affected area as pressure is applied to the targeted tissue.
Your response is continually evaluated so treatment can be adjusted to your needs. Dr. Barnhill may also recommend exercises, stretches or changes you can make outside the office to support your progress.
Get Back to Doing What You Love
An injury or chronic pain doesn’t have to mean giving up the activities that are important to you.
Whether you are a runner dealing with an overuse injury, a golfer struggling with shoulder or back discomfort, a pickleball player with elbow or knee pain or someone who simply wants to move more comfortably, Active Release Technique may be worth exploring.
At Precision Chiropractic and Rehab, Dr. Kurt Barnhill, Dr. Chelsea Hollingsworth and the entire team provide personalized care for patients throughout Stuart, Palm City, Jupiter and the surrounding communities in Martin and Palm Beach counties.
Contact Precision Chiropractic and Rehab today to schedule an appointment and learn whether Active Release Technique can be part of your plan to move better, recover and get back to the activities you love.