Active Release Techniques or A.R.T. is a type of massage performed on runners and other athletes to improve tissue qualityand prevent injuries.  Today, I have a very special guest post from Dr. Carla Cupido – she’s an amazing therapist here in Vancouver, BC.  She is a Chiropractor who is certified to perform A.R.T. and Graston and is really good at what she does.  I see her regularly to fix my ailments so I can keep training hard and injury free.  I don’t recommend too many people, but I would definitely recommend Dr. Cupido to all runners, athletes and people from the general population.

Let’s get to the good stuff!  Dr. Cupido discusses why A.R.T. is important for making you a stronger runner.

Active Release Technique (A.R.T.) ® for Runners

 
Most runners have now heard of Active Release Technique® or A.R.T.® as an effective treatment option for nagging injuries or for helping to achieve optimal performance.  Although it is not the most comfortable treatment in the world, it has certainly been proven successful for running injuries such as:

  • Muscle Strains (Acute or Chronic)
  • Iliotibial Band (ITB) Irritation / Syndrome
  • Anterior / Posterior Tibial Stress Syndrome (shin splints)
  • Tendinopathies:
  • Runner’s Knee / Patellar Tendinopathy
  • Achilles Tendinosis
  • Plantar Fasciitis
  • Snapping Hip Syndromes
  • Sacroiliac (SI) joint dysfunction
  • Lumbar Spine Facet Irritation
  • Chronic Muscle Hypertonicity (Tightness)
  • Post-Ankle Sprain Muscle Dysfunction
  • Nerve Entrapments

Active Release Technique® is utilized with the understanding that muscular tissues situated at oblique angles to one another are prone to reactive changes that produce scar tissue, local swelling and resultant pain and tenderness.  During A.R.T.®, the clinician applies deep tension at the area of tenderness and the patient actively moves the tissue through the adhesion site from a shortened to a lengthened position.  This helps to break up the scar tissue and return the muscle to a healthy state, enabling improved performance and decreased pain.

Of course, determining and managing the cause of the injury or muscle tightness is imperative to ensure it does not return. Therefore, orthopedic, muscle, and functional testing should be performed to develop an optimal plan of management that will include not only passive care provided by the practitioner, but of course active rehabilitation performed by the patient.

Remaining healthy in the sport of running is a team effort.  Due to the demands running places on your body, tissue maintenance and preventative functional testing is a good way to remain healthy and strong.  Individual rehab and “prehab” programs remain an integral component to every successful runner’s plan!

As Jon Kawamoto says, RUN STRONG!

*****

Dr. Carla Cupido, Hon. B. Kin, D.C.
Certified in A.R.T. ®, Graston® Technique, Kineio® Tape & Functional Movement Systems™
www.drcarlacupido.com

I started training at JKC in 2016 because I’ve always had upper back issues that became aggravated through work. I sought out other training and physio, but experienced little to no results. A client of mine happened to be coming to JKC for a similar issue and highly recommended it. I have had great success and haven’t looked back! I always feel like I’m getting programs tailored to my needs and I’m never bored. I’m 30 weeks pregnant now with my second child and have been able to workout through both pregnancies here at JKC. Even on my least mobile days, I felt safe to workout because my programs were specifically modified for my needs.

I had spent a fair bit of time in gyms in my teens and twenties but I turned away from the gym to focus on activities that I enjoyed more. What keeps me at JKC is that I do really enjoy it. I always feel that I’ve accomplished something when I leave at the end of my workout. The environment is really positive and focused on challenging yourself whatever your level of comfort and fitness. I’ve also seen results that I’m really happy with; having someone who really knows what they’re talking about to guide your workouts makes them way more effective and focused than just “going to the gym”.

Shortly after I started at JKC, I sustained a fairly major injury that took me off my feet for several months. When I started to get back to activity, it was very difficult. Jon and Thomas worked hard to tailor my workouts to my goals and what I could do. With their help, I’ve been steadily building back strength and function.

I recently visited Newfoundland for one month, and was looking for a good place to train while I was there. Jon and the team at JK conditioning really took the time to assess what I already knew, and set achievable goals for the time that I had with them. The gym was such a great place to push yourself. It had everything you needed, but more importantly it had a well organized, very knowledgeable, and really motivating group of trainers to push you at each workout. Not to mention a really nice group of other members who also motivated me to go that little bit further. I would highly recommend the gym to anyone who has a goal and wants to find a place to help them achieve it.

Courtney Sharpe

Nutritional Coaching by Julia Howard

For the past two months I have worked with the JKC team and have never felt better! In addition to a personal fitness plan, JKC’s holistic nutritionist, Julia, worked with me and around my busy schedule to educate me on healthier food options and meal planning. I maintain a daily food log which Julia reviews and provides feedback on and we also have weekly chats to discuss my nutritional goals and potential improvement areas. Julia also helped me to identify and work around dietary constraints which have caused digestion issues for years!

Julia and the rest of the JKC family have helped me get my confidence back! I love starting my days with a good sweat and a healthy breakfast. I understand what foods make me feel my best and my body is well on its way to becoming more lean, fit and happy! I would totally recommend Julia and the entire JKC team!

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