ART® is a highly successful, manual approach to the diagnosis and treatment of soft tissues – muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves and fascia. It allows the doctor to identify areas of scar tissue adhesions in the soft tissues based on the way they move and feel. With the technique, the doctor can remove these adhesions by applying tension with the thumb or fingers and bringing the tissue through certain motions.

When a muscle, tendon, or ligament is injured, the body forms scar tissue, or adhesions. Scar tissue is the body’s response to stress. It can form as a result of trauma, overuse, repetitive stress, and lack of use. Any time a trauma has occurred and tissues have been damaged, scar tissue will develop. This scar tissue will not only form specifically in the injured tissue, but will form in surrounding tissues as well. This will actually bind tissues together, causing them to be stuck and making it difficult for them to move effectively and slide over each other.

The body cannot remove scar tissue on its own. It requires treatment, and ART is an effective conservative treatment that does not carry the risks of surgery and medicine.