What Is Physical Therapy Art Certification?

Soft tissue pain from athletic activities may be resolved using ART.

Chiropractors and physical therapists use a variety of techniques to provide relief to patients experiencing debilitating pain from repetitive athletic, professional or recreational activities. One practice, known as ART, provides technicians a quick way to assess and resolve soft tissue concerns for clients. Professionals that wish to use these techniques will first need to acquire certification in this specialized practice or rehabilitative treatment.

What is ART?

In the administration of physical therapy, ART is the acronym for active release techniques. ART is a treatment used by chiropractors, massage therapists and physical therapists to treat soft tissue pain. It was designed by Dr. P. Michael Leahy and has been used as a treatment for common issues like headaches, shin splints, carpal tunnel syndrome and other issues related to scar tissue that develops from the overuse of muscles, tendons and ligaments.

How Does ART Work?

Using the law of repetitive motion to explain how overuse potentially hinders and alters the state in which something moves, ART includes a variety of exercises and applications that are designed to access the function and limitations of the muscles associated with the affected area. Once the area has been identified the physical therapist works with the soft tissue of the area to restore optimal function by releasing adhesion within muscles, between nerves, blood vessels and connective tissue through localized tissue manipulation.

ART Certification

If you are a physical therapist looking to become well versed in active release techniques, you will want to acquire certification. ART is called biomechanics certification and can be acquired online through the active release website. Coursework includes video and comprehensive information on common overuse activities, including running, walking, throwing, lifting and other movements. The course is self-guided and participants have six months to complete the program once you have elected to take the course.

Certification Exam

After completing the online course work, you will be required to take a test to demonstrate your understanding and application of active release techniques in patient situations. You will need to identify an ART Provider location through the website. Testing includes a live assessment in which you will work with a patient under the supervision of an ART instructor. You will watch the patient perform their sport, identify problems and then work with the patient to fix or improve the overuse problem.

ART Benefits

Chiropractors or therapists proficient in ART techniques can evaluate and offer treatment simultaneously. As techniques are all administered by way of tissue manipulation, the techniques are designed to provide quick treatment and correct movements to assist patients with avoiding previous overuse problems by adjusting body position when practicing that activity. Treatment time with ART is shorter and easier to accomplish for the practitioner, while following chiropractic methodology.

References

• Vanderbilt University Health Psychology Home Page: Active Release Techniques as an Alternative Treatment for Soft-Tissue Injuries and Ailments
• Logan College of Chiropractic and University Programs: Active Release Technique (ART)
• Active Release: Biomechanics Certification

Resources

• New York Chiropractic College: Active Release Technique--U.E.