ART stands for Active Release Techniques. It’s a soft tissue method that focuses on relieving tissue tension via the removal of fibrosis/adhesions which can develop in tissues as a result of overload due to repetitive use. Put very simply, it’s a specialised massage technique to address the kind of repetitive strain injuries, cumulative trauma injuries and constant pressure tension lesions experienced by athletes at all levels. It was developed by Dr Mike Leaky, a Chiropractor who studied engineering while he was in the US Air Force. He realised he could combine his engineering knowledge with his chiropractic skills to treat soft tissue disorders.
More than thirty years later, more than 100 million people have been treated by 10,000 registered ART practitioners. Jan is one of ART’s longest serving practitioners, having started in 1998. She’s worked with elite athletes, weekend warriors and people who experience problems in the workplace. She is one of ART’s most senior trainers, helping other practitioners to improve their skills – and says she’s always learning herself. As well as operating her own clinics in Queensland, Jan has also worked with ART at major events, including the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawai’i.
You can find out more information about ART at their website, http://www.activerelease.com/