Active Release Technique (ART) is AWESOME!!!

I love my rolfer (structural integration). It's similar to ART. As soon as the tiniest ache or pain arises, I'm at his office. I don't mess around .

I am not too familiar with ART, but I do see a rolfer. My layman's description of it is that it is all soft-tissue manipulation that basically works to separate muscles, tendons, ligaments, etc. so they function independently (and more efficiently and properly - the way they're supposed to). As our bodies become fatigued from training and other life activities, those things will actually attach themselves to one another, etc. Like, if my ITB is bothering me, it might just need to be "detatched" from my hammie or quad. He does a little detachment and viola, I'm back to normal. They can also use those techniques to eliminate scar tissue, etc. I'm not gonna lie to you, it can be EXTREMELY painful, but it's awesome .

It's not quite THAT simple, but that's the gist, and the extent to which I can explain it without having studied the technique. I understand it a little more than that, but am not quite sure how to put it into words.

It really depends on the situation and what is bothering you and how it's bothering you. Where you are feeling the pain isn't necessarily the problem area. For instance, if the ITB is bothering you at the attachment at the knee, it might be work up at the hip that is needed (but, they will address the entire ITB). Many different techniques are used. Sometimes, it will involve skin rolling, sometimes it requires getting under the ITB and working on it, sometimes it involves putting pressure on it. Sometimes it involves him putting pressure and doing manipulation while I am tucking my pelvis in and out, etc. Lots of stuff. I've had work done on every single part of my body (except my face, but I will be doing that in two weeks), and so I've done everything from bending to rotating, to moving a limb back and forth, to squatting up and down, etc. while he does stuff. I've been standing, sitting, laying, etc.  He's used a handful of different techniques on the same body part. There's not one technique that works in all situations and on all people. The greatest sensation you would get from it is pressure with associated movement. Hard to explain.

DeannaS - 2007-11-06 10:59 AM Thanks, that gives me a better visual. I get that this stuff can be hard to explain.

Yes, and I've had about 25 or so appts over the past few months, so I've experienced almost every technique in the book...it's difficult to generalize at this point. Had you asked me after my first or second appt, it would have been a little easier for me to describe. Sorry I couldn't have been of more help. I will say this to you, though, it's definitely worth it. And, as you develop a comfort level with the practitioner and tolerance level to the techniques, you can get some really cool advanced work done (but that gets $$$). I only have experience with rolfing, though; I've never seen an ART person.

jmk-brooklyn - 2007-11-06 1:03 PM

LaurenSU02 - 2007-11-06 9:31 AM LaurenSU02 - 2007-11-06 9:08 AM I've had work done on every single part of my body (except my face, but I will be doing that in two weeks).p>

W.....T.....F.....? I think that if you're finding that you're getting aches and pains in your face that you might be overtraining a tad....

LOL. Most of the work I am going through now is preventative and to hopefully make my body more efficient and perhaps even less injury prone. I've been rolfed everywhere from the bottom of my feet to the back of my head, and everything in between. I figured if I had everything else done, I might as well go for the face and see what it's all about. They'll do work IN the mouth and nose as well (during the face session). I'm not yet sure I'll allow that...I think I'll just make a game-time decision .

I guess you can say I have a unique dedication to my body and my participation in the sport of triathlon .

Can't speak for active release, but for rolfing, I would say YES. I would imagine those who have gone through ART would say, "Yes," to ART as well in this situation.

hmm . . . I might have to give that a try then.  I stopped PT last week and switched to a chiropractor.  Maybe I'll switch again! 

I just want something to work.  I'm tired of being broken!