The Practice

Active Release Technique (A.R.T.)

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.

How do overuse conditions occur? 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.

Deep Tissue Massage

This is exactly what it sounds like. Deep tissue work is massage which is aimed at getting to muscles and fascia which are located further away from the skin (deeper). Typical techniques include point pressure (using fingertips, knuckles or small massage tools) and heavy effleurage (using body weight on elbows or forearms).

Sports Massage

Massage techniques for athletes. These techniques are aimed at either preparing the muscles and joints for athletic activity or assisting in recovery from the stress and strain associated with sports activity.

Myofascial Trigger Point Therapy

Myofascial Trigger Point Therapy (MTPT) is a unique treatment protocol for the treatment of myofascial pain and dysfunction. The protocol is based on the seminal works of Janet G. Travell, MD and David G. Simons, MD and integrates current scientific concepts and research. Trigger points are an area of hyperirritability within soft tissue structures that are characterized by local tenderness and may include referred phenomena. These referred sensations can include pain, tingling, numbness burning, or itching.

According to the writings of Drs. Travell and Simons, referred pain is the defining symptom of a myofascial trigger point. It is felt most often as an oppressive deep ache, although movement can sharpen the pain. Referred myofascial pain can be as intense and intolerable as pain from any other cause.

Some common examples of referred pain are headaches, sinus pain, and the kind of pain in the neck that won't let you turn your head. In fact, that pain in your hip or knee can be nothing more serious than referred pain from myofascial trigger points (tiny contraction knots) in overworked or strained muscles of the hip and thigh.