| Active Release vs. No Release ART has received overwhelming support from patients, which the vast number of
testimonials seem to support. However, the lack of evidenced-based proven
efficacy of this treatment is a real shame, as the full spectrum of athletes
with overuse injuries, from recreational to Olympic and the professional elite,
have found tremendous benefit from this therapy. Perhaps with further
study the effectiveness of ART can be verified beyond the testimonial and anecdotal.
It was interesting that the only studies I was able to find were pilot or
preliminary studies. Could there be a reason why there aren't any larger,
randomized, more evidence-based published studies? (Dr. Leahy indicated
that a major University in Colorado had conducted a controlled study of ART
techniques.)
Although I could find no good evidence-based studies to support ART, I had the
chance to see an anecdotal case in clinic. It was powerful evidence to see
a patient who had hobbled in with a bad back barely able to stand with poor
range of motion and pain 8 or 9 out of 10, after 30 minutes of painful
stretching paired up with precisely applied tension, walk out in good posture,
80% increase in range of motion, and pain 2 or 3 out of 10. ART is a
painful treatment that seems to work, and work dramatically. Now they just
have to prove it! If and when they do, it may become first line therapy
for overuse injuries along side steroid injections and NSAID's. Currently,
favorable studies are lacking.
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