What is the difference between ART Therapy and a regular massage?

Triathlon Forum
1

Well, it’s been a month since the onset of my IT Band injury and I still can’t run longer than a half mile. So now I’m looking into ART therapy but I’m wondering if it will be any different then the massage therapy that I’m receiving three times per week?

Many thanks,

Dave from VA

Oh yeah, so far I’ve tried TONS of stretching and ICE, Vioxx, physical therapy, chiropractor, roller pin, ball massage, hot tub/whirlpool, cortisone injection and lots of praying…nothing has worked thus far. I’ve had to cancel all of my fall races (2 triathlons, 40K TT, and the Marine Corp Marathon) OK…I’m done crying.

2

Don’t know how to describe it but I think ART is a combo of physio and massage. I get ART on my arm. It involves manipulative stretches where he applies pressure and then has me move my arm in a certain manner. I can’t describe it but it is definately different. Nice thing with ARt is that you can usually tell quite quickly if it is working or not.

3

I know some of my fellow chiropractors seem to be getting into ART in a big way. But I’ve been around long enough to have seen a lot of these “this is it” technique systems come and go, so I’m a little skeptical of the testimonial advertising that ART seems to be relying on.

The only thing I’d suggest is try it out and see if it works for you.

4

I know some of my fellow chiropractors seem to be getting into ART in a big way. But I’ve been around long enough to have seen a lot of these “this is it” technique systems come and go, so I’m a little skeptical of the testimonial advertising that ART seems to be relying on.

The only thing I’d suggest is try it out and see if it works for you.

Cerveloguy: Everytime someone asks about ART you post the same thing. I e-mailed you some time ago regarding ART encouraged you to look into taking the course. I understand that you are in a different point in your caree than I am but insted of saying your skeptical regarding new techniques (especially when you have chosen not to become informed regarding them) why dont you just say you don’t know what the difference is and leave it at that?>

5

The difference is that massage is passive compression of the soft tissues that seems to be most helpful in reducing increased muscle tension within muscles and perhaps increasing blood flow.

ART is a more active approach that primarily seeks to reduce or soften scar tissue type adhesions that develop between struchturs as opposed to tension within the structure.

In the case of ITB problems the adhesions can develop subsequent to friction between your IT band on the side of your leg and your vastus latealis (outside part of your quad) this has the net effect of “sticking” the IT band and quad togather. In a normal quad ITB relationship there should be very little friction between the two structures as you run much like if you were to rub the “slippery sides” of scotch tape togather. If adhesions develop then when your quad and ITB atempt to slide on one another you get friction as if the “sticky” sides of the tape are rubbing togather.

ART practioners would shorten one of the structures and have your activly lengthen the other attempting to stretch and soften the scar tissue.

I’ve been practicing for 10 yrs now and have found ART to be one of the most effective treatments for these types of injuries.

As other will point out it is not the only effective treatment(no one treatment is universally effective for everyone) but it is certaily my first choice for these types of problems.

6

Vastus lateralis/IT band adhesion test (this is not the last word; it
was my problem, though): standing straight up, tighten the quads. Lift
the straightened leg toward horizontal. A cord-like hunk of the IT
band will stand out above and outside the knee cap. Put your leg back
down and stand on it (no lifting action, only quad tightening). Is the
cord still there? Then you have an adhesion problem.

IT band stretch: most stretches focus on full leg/hip movements, but
the band can be manipulated directly (if you can find it) – the
equivalent of grabbing a piece and twisting it, but done by digging
fingers under/into opposite sides of the band at slightly different
distances along the band (one hand a few inches further along). This
can help get rid of minor adhesion (worked for me).

7

“insted of saying your skeptical regarding new techniques”

Can you post me any scientific or controlled clinic studies regarding ART. And please, no testimonials.

8

“insted of saying your skeptical regarding new techniques”

Can you post me any scientific or controlled clinic studies regarding ART. And please, no testimonials.

No I cant and thats because by and large they dont exist.

But we have both been in this profession long enough to understand that randomized controlled studies are not the rule for much if not most of what you do in your office or I in mine or any family doctor or orthopedist does in theirs.

If you are skeptical due to a lack of science than I suspect you are skeptical to the point where your ability to practice is severely compromised.

Haveing said that I understand that you may be unwilling to embrace the hype surrounding ART I was very much the same as you 6 yres ago. I didnt like the hype I was uncomfortable with the guru like basis of the claims etc. But there come a time when you have to put up or shut up. ART come to Ontario regularly and if youre not interested in the technique than you should just either stay silent when the questions are asked or say that you dont know anything at all about the technique but you have collegues that are excited about it.

When you say you havnt any particular understanding of the technique but are skeptical because of the hype thats not so much different than a Chiropractic detractor saying the same thing recgarding spinal adjustments.

As I said in early correspondence with you hype not withstanding and lack of good science not withstanding this is a technique that surpasses other soft tissue techniques that I have beein traind in (iclud nimmo,shiatsu, trigger paint therapy, spray and stretch etc) for the treatment of overuse soft tissue injuries and perhipheral nerve entrapments. I’d love for there to be more science on the subject but until then I’ll have to be content with getting better results by including ART in my practice than by excluding it.

9

Logan,

Thanks, also can this IT Band problem cause patellofemoral pain (runners knee) because I think I’ve develped that as well.

Very respectfully,

Dave from VA

10

I have a friend going through med school to be an ortho surgeon and when I mentioned that I go to a chiropractor to help me compete he just scoffed (much like CG now scoffs at ART). While I have no scientific or clinically controlled studies to back my claim that chiro is one of the main reasons I am able to compete today…to me it is a fact. An undisputable one at that. I have also been lucky enough to get a few ART treatments on my right hamstring (just mini ones post race). While getting a post race massage ‘might’ have the same effect I can say the treatments I have received have made a big difference to both lowering the level of pain and improving my flexibility. Again, in my estimation, undisputable. I have to say CG that being in a profession that most of the medical world shuns as snake oil I am surprised at your response to ART. One would think a supplemental method of natural healing would be more welcome to a chiropractor. I respect your opinion very much…would you mind explaining (even in remote detail) why it is you feel ART is a waste of time/money (not your words…mine)

11

As a certified massage therapist (although I don’t practice any longer), the first question should be: “What type of massage therapy are you currently receiving?”. There are many different methodologies that focus on different things. However, unless you are receiving myofascial release (which is a very specialized methodology), then ART will probably be VERY different.

Essentially, the concept behind ART is “active release”. With repetitive stress type injuries, scar tissue and lesions build up which may limit the range of motion of a particular muscle or tissue. ART basically strips the muscle of those lesions (at the point they are limiting motion), and re-educates the muscle into realizing a greater range of motion.

Generally, the process is a bit…well…is “uncomfortable” a strong enough word (for those who have had it done?). However, the results are not. Once again I laughed when I read someone asking for controlled studies, etc. (the usual response for skeptical people who have no idea of the amount of studies being done that the general public have access to - even with the internet, and the amount that are NOT done because of funding, etc.). Go to virtually any ART practitioner, and they will probably be able to provide a number of references of people who could not be helped by western medicine (which is basically a joke when it comes to any type of body “maintenance” but shows it’s strength in the repair or alleviation of “symptoms” - which many times is different than actually “fixing” the problem).

I would suggest going to ART (or again, myofascial release otherwise known as MFR) for a couple of sessions. Typically, one can see INSTANT results, although they may be small the first time (by essentially showing you an increased range of motion by testing before and after the procedure). Just last month I helped a guy sitting at the table next to me who was telling his friend he was going to have surgery because of his ulnar nerve “damage” from his excess…you guessed it…golfing ;-). I did a few passes on his arm, and showed him his increased strength (in a matter of minutes). I suggested he follow the path of seeing a doctor (which he already had, because they were prescribing surgery), then get referred to either an ART practitioner or myofascial release specialist.

Apparently, he paid the $2500 to go have myofascial release done, and went back to the restaurant (I frequent quite often) and left a message that he is no longer having surgery and thankful for my suggestion.

Generally, doctors will try and determine the problem based on symptoms (or if it’s major - perhaps xrays?). Chiros will know structure (bone related), and massage therapists (or chiros who know ART) know soft tissue. Unfortunately, there is not the same stipulations on training to become either of the latter (although chiropractors now are considered doctors and are generally accepted by today’s medical standards). Eventually, I believe people will have to go through the same extensive training for all disciplines, and we will be on our way to truly providing adequate healthcare for our citizens.

One last thing, if you go get ART and appear to be “fixed”, but then reoccurs, it’s not necessarily because the procedure didn’t work. A good practitioner will help analyze what you did to make the injury occcur in the first place. Change of behavior might be necessary to keep from creating the same repetitive stress type injury.

Good luck!

12

" CG now scoffs at ART"

I’m not scoffing at ART at all. Sorry if i gave that impression. I’m sure it works quite well in many cases for certain conditions. As do many other things. What I am doubting is that it’s something brand new and better than anything else. If you read the hype, that’s how ART is being promoted. There are a lot of different ways of treating things that also work. I already use spinal manipulation, stretch techniques, accupuncture, massage, modalities, etc and am satisfied with the results in the office, so don’t feel any urgent need to rush out and drop three or four grand for some ART seminars.

I’m not doubting that there is something to ART based upon the number of satisfied people who have received treatments.

You’d have to be a chiropractic insider to realize that we have a long history of “technique gurus” who market some system they develop to other chiros. Usually this is done outside of the colleges in private seminars with testimonial type advertising rather than clinical studies. In 20+ yrs of practice I’ve seen a lot of these technique systems come and go. That doesn’t mean that many of them don’t work, but there is a tendency for certain things within chiropractic to become a bit of a fad for awhile.

If ART is that good as a healing system then it will stay around for awhile and no doubt be absorbed into a broader mainstream.

Here’s tha ART website

http://www.activerelease.com/

13

I would say the type of massage I’m currently receiving would be considered a “sports massage.” Lots of trigger points and “lumps” that get pushed on and then released.

Dave from VA

14

How does one patent a technique? Seems like this should not be possible. You right about the website, it looks like a sales pitch more than anything.

15

Since we are talking about chiropractors, what is the difference between a “straight” and a “mixer”? Also, my chiropractor went to New York Chiropractor College, is that a good school?

Dave from VA

16

“How does one patent a technique?”

You can’t in the true sense of the word.

17

"

If ART is that good as a healing system then it will stay around for awhile and no doubt be absorbed into a broader mainstream.

Here’s tha ART website

http://www.activerelease.com/

ART has in fact been around since the late 1980’s and early 1990’s. Since you want to apply the “scientific study” bar to ART. What scientific studies do you rely on to support the use of many of the treatments that you use in your practice including acupuncture.

I am sympathetic to those who are uncomfortable with the “marketing” portion of ART but if you don’t know much about a technique that you ought not to be so free with your opinions condeming it. I am familiar with the history of new and emerging techniques in this profession and share your concern for our professions williness to follow the newest fad. But befor I comment on the merits of the new fad or lack therof I make sure that I do so from a position of understanding and knowledge. If I cant do that I keep my mouth shut and my typing fingers still.

as for the patent the name is protected so that when a patient sees an ART practitioner they are sure that they are getting ART and not some hodge podge of soft tissue techniques done by a practioner who is to “skeptical” to take the course but is more than happy to capitalize on the name ART.

18

"what is the difference between a “straight” and a “mixer”? "

NYCC is regarded as a good school. The dilema with chiropractic education is that the colleges have largely been stand alone private colleges outside the public university system. Hence it’s fair to assume that some of the colleges are better than others.

The terms “straight” and mixer goes back to the turn of the century. The first college of chiropractic was Palmer College in Davenport, Iowa started by DD Palmer and taken over and expanded by his son BJ Palmer. BJ had this theory that basically all disease had it’s roots in “bone out of place” in the spine and that chiropractic treatment could cure almost everything. As whacko as that sounds, realize that MD’s were also into some bizzare therapies and explanations at the time.

BJ was quite dogmatic and a group of his staff members abandoned him and his philosophy and started another chiropractic college in Chicago, which is still there today. BJ’s philosophy was a “hands only,spine only” way of thinking whereas the breakaway group was much more open to other therapies such as herbalism, naturopathy, etc. and was actually involved in the early days with things like minor surgery, delivering babies, and other areas no longer associated with chiropractic. Hence the BJ Palmer followers became known as “straights” and the splinter group as “mixers”.

Chiropractic has changed a lot since then but the terms “straights” and “mixers” are still around to some degree.

One of the best reads on chiropractic from a socio-historic view is a book called “Chiropractic: History and Evolution of a New Profession” by Walter Wardell. He is a sociology professeur at the University of Connecticut and IMO has given a very fair treatise of the weaknesses and strengths of chiropractic.

19

"when a patient sees an ART practitioner they are sure that they are getting ART and not some hodge podge of soft tissue techniques "

logan,

You’ve got to learn to chill out. First off you know sh*t about me other than what I’ve posted on this forum. You know nothing about my practice, patients or what color socks I wear in the office. Your personal attacks are a bit of an emotional response because I’m daring to question something rather than just accept it because somebody told us that’s the way it is.

Read my posts again. Never said ART is bunk, I even started by telling the original poster to give it a try and see if it works for him.

Another way of looking at ART is like going to a FIST certified bike fitter. All having a ART or FIST diploma hanging on the wall means is that the person you’re going to has been shown a certain way to do things. This doesn’t mean that the FIST certified bike fitters are the only ones who can do a good bike fitting. Slowman and the ART people have just taken their ideas and are marketing them to other people who want to be trained that way. That doesn’t mean that “their way” of doing something is the only way to do it.

20

Actually I am chilled out and I don’t mean to attack you personally any more than you meant to poo poo ART.

And your right I don’t know what color socks your wear. What I do know is that you SEEM to be applying a different standard to ART providers than you do to yourself. This is hipocrisy.

I suspect that our treatment philosophy is very similar I too use current, acupuncture, spinal adjustments and variouse other soft tissue techniques.

I am merely pointing out that eveytime someone posts an ART question you respond with your standard skeptical response which would be a lot more credible if you said “I dont know anything about ART nor am I inclinded to learn about it but here is my opinion anyway”

The reality is that there is little in the way of “evidence” for electrical therapies, acupuncture and may other techniques for the treatment of the conditions that you and I commonly see in our offices. That not withstanding you and I and any other practitioner that treats these injuries know that they are by and large effective for most of our patients.

You asked me to provide you with evidence for ART and specifically said “no testimonial please” could you do that for most of your common treatments?

The bottom line is that you should apply your standard equitably and if you are unwilling to do that you should not respond to the posts because 20 yrs as a chiro does not make you and expert on ART the color of your socks notwithstanding