Active Release Techniques??

[miladugga]

Anyone here have any experience with a type of physical therapy called Active Release Techniques? I was checking into trigger point massage therapy for climbing related forearm tendinitis and upper back muscle kinks and a chiro I know suggested this. I checked out a web site and found some practitioners, anyone here ever tried it? Thanks.

[layton]

It's one of those pay $5000 to learn a Trademarked technique that has protocols for different areas and conditions. Chiropractors like me use the basic theory, which is to squeeze the shit out of a muscles and stretch it with the patient's active voluntary muscle contraction. Maybe the folks that went to all the seminars do a better job? Maybe folks like me who are skeptical of all things trademarked are better?

 

Either way it's a great way to work out tight and tender muscles or trigger points. The newest TM on the block is called Graston Technique. I love it, but didn't pay $3000 for the tools or seminars (I made my own tools). This is basically scraping the shit out of muscle, tendon, whatever, in the direction of the fibers. Works really really well.

 

 

[Tokogirl]

Muscle Energy Technique and Active Release Technique may work but what layton mentioned may work a bit better depending on your specific circumstances.

 

The Graston Technique is similiar in practice to Gua Sha used for many hundreds of years in Chinese practice. It is frequently used in scar tissue release and to breakup the tissue. I had over 14 treatments last year for my left wrist, thumb, and elbow for breaking up scar tissue. Hurts but hurts so good! Emu oil or coconut oil are often used in this technique. There are some specific instruments that go with the seminar but you can also purchase a Chinese style soup spoon that will nearly do the same thing.

 

Hope you find something that works!

 

[Sherri]

Trigger point release worked wonders on me when I suffered some pretty serious running-related injuries. I use the technique for any muscle pain now, whether brought on by running, climbing or yardwork. I get good results with self-administered treatment with a ball or roller(using a trigger point book for reference), but occasionally still see a PT for a more involved tune-up when I've overdone the sports. It is amazing what a difference a half-hour of treatment can accomplish.

 

disclaimer: not everyone responds equally to every type of treatment, so you may need to be open to what's out there and experiment. There are gimmicks and snake-oil peddlers in every branch of health care, but if you find something that works for YOU, your money will be well spent.

 

If you Google "trigger point therapy", you will find a ton of info and techniques, many of which you can implement without spending a dime.

 

Good luck!

[catbirdseat]

Trigger point release therapy was in part developed by Hans Kraus, a climber.