A friend told me that this site had a lot of useful info on Active Release Technique. I just started doing this for back and sciatic nerve problems. I’ve had three sessions. I’m a little worried about how I’ve been feeling and wonder if it’s normal after starting ART. For the first few days I felt really good, but today I’m in rather a lot of pain. My SI joints are really inflamed and my glutes are screaming. I’m hesitant to go to another session for the next few days. I don’t want to overdo it. Can anyone tell me if there’s a standard waiting period in between sessions? How often do you go? Do you find more/less is better? Do you usually get worse after a session or better? Also, do you do straight ART or ART and regular chiropractic combined? Does your ART person work both sides of you or only the side that’s a problem, i.e. if you’re having sciatic pain(like me) only on one side. I would think that you’d want to work both sides but my ART person hasn’t been doing that.
I will ask him these questions but since I don’t know what standard treatment is just yet, I’d like as many opinions as I can get.
Thanks so much. Feel free to add any personal experiences that you would like to.
I am in no way an expert or even somewhat knowledgeable in the subject and as such feel perfectly qualified to answer in true SlowTwitch fashion
I’ve never had a problem with my sciatic or even with my back but a few months ago I was getting 3 sessions per week to fight off ITBS. My doc wouldn’t do sessions more often than every other day and mostly only worked on the inflamed side. Honestly my knee felt worse in several ways right up until I tried running and had no pain!
Well I’m no expert either (but I did stay at a holiday inn…) but my wife did ART last year leading up to IMC to help with peroformus syndrom, and she feels that it was very effective treatment for her, and did help her get to the start line. She did say it was hard work and somewhat painful.
As an ART provider myself, I’ve learned that it is not the ART that will get you better, its the provider (chiro, physio, etc). What I’m trying to say is that ART is only a tool in the toolbox. While those who’ve been ART certified for a while are generally better at it (you’ll notice a difference), a good doctor will know when and when not to use it.
Ask yourself if this person really looks like he/she knows what they’re doing and if not, let me know where you’re located and i’ll find you a better one.
Well I am an ART instructor so I will take a shot at your answer. First I would say to ask your provider a lot of questions. It is very hard to answer these questions without examining the patient. Sometimes I work one side, sometimes both, depends on the imbalances. Not a “cookie cutter” approach.
Some people get sore post treatment, which usually dissipates within a day. i adjust the frequency of treatments accordingly. Not everyone has the same reaction to treatment nor does everyone do the same thing post treatment (exercise, work, ice, posture…) so many variables.
I agree that there are better providers than others, even though we test the certified providers and mandate yearly recertification in order to stay current. it is a technique that is very specific and constantly evolving, so much to learn.
I think the most important thing is to talk to your provider, express your concern, things shouldn’t stay sore and the improvement scale should continue. If not, further diagnostics or change in treatment (or provider) maybe required. hope this helps
Thanks for your post. That makes better to know that other people felt similiar post-ART soreness. I can’t wait for the day when I can just walk more than a block without pain let alone run without it. I’m glad you’re out of pain.
Thanks for the info everyone! I was going to post to everyone individually but it looks like the way this forum works, it just kind of goes to the bottom, so I will just say to evryone who posted that I will just plan to feel sore for a while and see if things improve in several weeks. While I think my ART practioner is wonderful as far as listening to me and being open to try a range of treatments, I’m curious whether someone with more experience would do things differently. But I have to say that during treatments, I never feel serious pain. I feel worked but not worked over and I’ve always better right after a treatment. I think my soreness may just be that joints and muscles are going through motions they haven’t been able to in a while. I am optimistic about this form of treatment. Hopefully, I’ll feel better long-term soon. Thanks for the help!! It seems that there are so many positive posts about ART on this site. That’s great to see.
I’m an ART expert! Been getting it 2x/week for the past few months for siatic/piriformis issue on my left side. Couldn’t run 2 miles prior, now I can run 30! I was basically about to quit triathlon/running all together (and Ironmans), so this was pretty much a last resort.
My guess is everyone is different…but my issue was very weak/instability post running and throbbing pain on/off while riding. It started off in the hips with the PT got me through, but then spread into the butt when I visiting a chiropractor (my 1st trip to a chiro). They ONLY worked my pain (left) side, even when I said I was having “some” symptons in my right side. They do basically (3) different motions which are too tough to explain in writing. The press hard enough to bruise me occassionally and nylon-weaved shorts will leave chaf marks and small scabs (sorry for the visual). IMO, the harder - the better. Get rid of all that inflamation!
I considered myself injury free several weeks ago, but still went another few sessions to make sure.
The ART went so well on my butt that we also treated my achillies (very cool!) and my sore neck from being in aero (VERY VERY cool).
I just got done typing a lengthy respone that got f’n deleted.
Long post short - ART is damn near miraculous. I’ve had very good results 2x (sprained ankle, rotator cuff), and my wife has a herniated disk that she tried everything else for (PT, Chiro, alt Chiro, epidural x3, etc) w/ no improvement.
Literally after the first ART session she was feeling better. Now after having gone 2x/wk for a few weeks, she will go every other week, then once a month, then done.
You often are sore during and/or after getting ART. They work you pretty hard, but the results are worth it.
Hi,looks as if you are getting a few responses. I have been an ART provider for about 4 years. I am always learning. My practice consists of about 50% ART patients. The treatment should be a little uncomfortable but should subside as you are finished. The ART provider should be cautious the first few treatments to see how your tissue react. Each person will respond different. I have been an athlete for most of my life and i find ART to be the best tool for soft tissue issues. dont be afraid to talk with your provider or look for a new one.
I will adjust my patients when needed and i will work both sides when an imbalance is there that needs to be cleared up. Best of luck with training and getting healthy.
Wow, I’m so glad to see so many people getting relief from pain. It gives me some hope and I haven’t had that in a while. I feel better today than I did when I posted last night. My ART guy went a little lower down in my back and it really helped. I feel much looser. The killer is sitting all day. It just puts such a pinch on my sciatic nerve. Hopefully, as treatment progresses, it won’t bother me so much. Hey, does anyone have any suggestions about kinds of chairs or back rests that have helped you when you’re sitting all day?
I so appreciate your comments. It’s kind of nice knowing there are people who are going through the same thing and are getting better.
I will agree with many others here who’ve benefited greatly from ART. I go to a chiro who is also certified for ART. As Marisol described, whether he works on both sides or just the one seems to be case-by-case.
One thing he does that I like, and you may ask for more of this type of feedback from your provider is gives me expectation for pain. Some treatments he’ll say may be uncomfortable during the ART itself, other times he’ll let me know it’s normal to feel sore the next day. And he’s very good at describing that pain. For example, sometimes he’ll say I’ll probably feel like I did a hard weights workout (sore muscles), or other descriptions.
And yes, it’s helped a ton. I went intensively for a few weeks/months and now am in good shape.
