Active Release Technique, or A.R.T. for short, is a patented, state-of-the-art soft tissue technique that uses specific contact on the injured area of the patient, in order to help decrease pain, tension, and adhesion.  In A.R.T, the provider uses their hands in a specific motion with pressure to work out the tightness that is affecting that area.

The people that will benefit the most from this technique are:

• Athletes, both professional and recreational
• Patients with chronic pain and overuse
• Patients who want an unconventional treatment for relief

A.R.T. was created by Dr. Michael P. Leahy when he realized that you could actually feel your patient’s tissue injuries.  He discovered that connective tissue and scar tissue could build up as a result of overuse and stress.  As scar tissue builds it ties down tissues that normally need to move freely, thus reducing the range of motion of the affected tissue. This tissue derangement typically causes pain and alters function.

What can be treated by this technique?  There are dozens of conditions, which include, but are not limited to:

• Headaches
• Neck Pain
• Shin Splints
• Shoulder Pain
• Achilles Tendon Pain
• Knee Pain
• Tennis Elbow
• Soreness in tendons, ligaments, and nerves

When you come in for treatment at our active release clinic you can expect Dr. Charbel to analyze your soft tissue function to determine the true cause of pain.  The analysis of the soft tissue is done using a technique called “active palpation”, which is a hands on technique used to discover abnormalities in the soft tissue, usually without the use of an MRI or an ultrasound.

At our affordable chiropractic clinic, Dr. Charbel offers A.R.T. to reduce pain that patients feel from the causes outlined above.  He knows that everyone’s pain is different and every patient should be treated as such.  That’s why he takes the time to talk to each patient and understand where the pain is actually coming from, instead of treating everyone the same.  Additionally, Integrated Health Solutions offers other complimentary therapies to A.R.T., in order to ensure the best care possible.

About Integrated Health Solutions

Dr. Charbel Harb is a licensed chiropractic physician and the Medical Director of Integrated Health Solutions. Our core belief is that each patient who walks through the doors is a person, not just a medical record or chart. Our greatest pleasure is bringing joy to our patients and helping them to fully embrace life, allowing them to enjoy each day: active, healthy and pain free.

The post Active Release Technique Alternative Treatment for Muscle and Joint Pain appeared first on Integrated Health Solutions.

Have you accepted the fact that you will always suffer from chronic low back pain? Think again. There are simple steps you can take to ensure you move properly, which in turn will help you eliminate your pain.

In my opinion, traditional medicine has failed to help patients understand their pain, and does little to encourage them to make modifications socially and psychologically, and most importantly, biomechanically. Simple modifications in your lifestyle can help you eliminate your chronic low back pain. By making simple changes in your mechanics, as opposed to treatments that only mask the pain, I believe you will alleviate your symptoms, if not totally make them disappear.

Let me first begin by briefly explaining why I feel so strongly about this particular topic. I have had my share of chronic low back pain throughout the years. My condition, known as spondylolisthesis, is actually quite severe. I used to receive at least two injections per year, among other forms of medication to help me control my pain, which was radiating into my legs and preventing me from being able to walk without pain, let alone enjoy recreational activities. I visited many health care providers, but was never educated on proper mechanics, or proper hip movement to spare the low back. However, through my studies to become a chiropractor, I very quickly realized that I was moving improperly the entire time, which was contributing to my low back pain. Since modifying my mechanics, I have not had an episode of low back pain in over 10 years!

At our Indianapolis chiropractic clinic, a majority of our patients being treated for low back pain have poor mechanics. They tend to recruit their low back in daily movements, when in fact; they should be using their hips. Daily activities, such as picking objects up off the floor, going from sitting to standing, washing their face, brushing their teeth, tying shoe laces, etc. are often done improperly. Recruitment of the lower back during these simple daily activities can cause micro-trauma to the tissue in the lower back, which in turn can lead to chronic pain.

If moving incorrectly is not enough, our current sedentary lifestyle of constant sitting, whether at the office, in the car, or at home, can also contribute to chronic pain, by inhibiting your core and glutes, which are primary mover muscles and are important in core stability.

Related: Think Sitting Can’t Kill You?

At our affordable chiropractic clinic, we treat patients with a variety of backgrounds, from avid athletes to deskbound individuals, who suffer from chronic back pain. However, we have helped them become in control of their pain, through education and empowerment of a few very simple steps.

1.  Maintain a neutral back. [youtube_sc url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P01UKraYFGE&list=UUywozp0WIbd3OU4N9KQlUag”]

2. Pick items up from the floor properly. [youtube_sc url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aiQJVD5lcds&list=UUywozp0WIbd3OU4N9KQlUag”]

3. Squat with a neutral back.  Many people believe squatting is only done at the gym when working out. However, we squat all day every day, for example, going from sitting to standing, going up stairs, grabbing your lunch out of the refrigerator, picking things up off the floor, etc. [youtube_sc url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPHeDo192Us&list=UUywozp0WIbd3OU4N9KQlUag”]

Mastering the techniques in these videos will help you immensely in managing your low back pain.

If you have any questions on proper mechanics, or chronic low back pain, contact our Indianapolis chiropractic clinic today at 317.449.2020.

About Integrated Health Solutions

Dr. Charbel Harb is a licensed chiropractic physician and the Medical Director of Integrated Health Solutions. Our core belief is that each patient who walks through the doors is a person, not just a medical record or chart. Our greatest pleasure is bringing joy to our patients and helping them to fully embrace life, allowing them to enjoy each day: active, healthy and pain free.

The post A Simple Way to Manage Your Low Back Pain appeared first on Integrated Health Solutions.