PROActive Soft Tissue Therapy since 1994 EXPERIENCE RESULTS Active Release Techniques Call 941-923-0907 or 1-888-JOHNPRO or email to john@drpro.net Call 941-923-0907 or 1-888-JOHNPRO or email to john@drpro.net “If you keep doing what you’re doing, you keep getting what you’re getting” I Now Live Without Pain! And That’s Saying A Lot! Before being introduced to Dr. John Prokopiak in 2002, I could barely walk, sit or stand for any length of time.  I had been living in chronic pain for the 5 years since being hit by a drunk driver. I had been seen by 43 different doctors in three states, and not one of them could relieve my daily pain, but instead, prescribed me plenty of drugs, which was not an option for me. My first visit with DR PRO was long and I was uncomfortable sitting, standing, bending, moving this way and that way, but I soon realized, this guy had something unique! Within 3 visits over the next 10 days, my pain was beginning to subside. On my 4th visit, I took the stairs instead of the elevator just to prove to myself, that I could! I still see DR PRO for my regular tune ups and truly believe, if it weren’t for DR PRO, I would not be walking today and/or would have endured several unnecessary surgeries by now. DR PRO is truly the BEST! Karen Sarasota, FL What Is Active Release Techniques? ART® is a collection of soft tissue techniques for examination, diagnosis and treatment of soft tissue disorders. It is a non-invasive healing procedure that locates and breaks down scar tissue and adhesions that cause soft tissue injuries. ART® targets very specific problem areas and heals through a unique combination of pressure, tension and motion. This method releases, stretches and loosens connective tissue adhesions or scar tissue, allowing the restoration of circulation, range of motion and strength. Through the assessment of tissue texture, tension, movement and function, ART® provides a way to diagnosis and treat the underlying causes of a variety of conditions collectively called Cumulative Trauma Disorders (CTD’s). Active Release has proven itself to be a fast, effective, non- invasive way to heal a wide range of soft tissue injuries and movement based muscular problems allowing people to get moving again comfortably and without pain. The Active Release Treatment Restoring tissue elasticity and longitudinal freedom of motion is the goal. In ART®, the tissue is placed in a shortened position, and then drawn under specific type of contact while the problem spot is manipulated. The patient motion is active whenever practicable. Poor Tissue Gliding Tissues must glide properly to function well. When this sliding is defective, soft tissue symptoms appear, even crepitus, which is the grinding noise and popping noise muscles make when they do not slide properly with or over structures. Understanding Soft Tissue Injuries There are three common mechanisms that produce soft tissue injuries, 1) Acute trauma like a tear or bruise, 2) Constant Pressure usually found in overuse problems and 3) Repetitive Motion which prevents the tissue from resting and repairing. Symptoms Of Soft Tissue Injury  Most commonly numbness, tingling, burning, aching and weakness are noticed. Soft tissue dysfunction can often lead to loss of flexibility, strength and range of motion in the absence of other symptoms. Adhesions And Scar Tissue Formation When a muscle, tendon, ligament or nerve is damaged it will repair the area with scar tissue in a predictable and palpable way. Scar tissue feels like the “sticky” side a piece of tape, one tissue literally pulls on another or pulls on a structure next to it or going through it, like a nerve for example. Friction, pressure or tension causes a decrease in circulation. The tissue responds with fibrosis and adhesions in and between the tissues. What Are “Cumulative” Injuries? Cumulative injury is a group of injuries to the muscles, tendons, bones, blood vessels, fascia and/or nerves. Cumulative injuries are self- perpetuating unless the pattern is corrected. CTD’s are also know as Repetitive Stress Injuries (RSI’s) or “Overuse Syndromes” Familiar Cumulative Injuries You know them as Tendinitis, Rotator Cuff, Carpal Tunnel, Plantar Fascitis, Poor Posture, Shin splints, Golfers Elbow, Bursitis, and chronic back pain. What To Expect From ART® Significant results should be seen within 2-3 visits. Muscle strength typically begins to return on the first or second visit. Treatments can be uncomfortable; patients report that it “hurts good” or is reproducing the symptoms. Both are temporary and stop after the treatment, a good sign that ART® is solving a problem and healing an injury. Patients report a freed-up, expansive or blood flow feeling with better movement. How Often And Is It Permanent? Typically treatments are done 1-2 days apart, in some cases an even longer period in needed. Full resolution in 4-6 visits is common, though it could take as many as 10 or more in some cases. Is ART® Chiropractic Care? No, it is considered a form of manual therapy, often administered by a chiropractor accredited in ART®. Active Release vs. Other Therapies Much confusion exists with the term Myofascial Release. The term can mean anything from massage to aggressive deep tissue work aimed at “releasing’ certain tissues. ART® is NOT massage, physiotherapy or chiropractic. While those procedures relieve muscle and motion dysfunction, they do not necessarily address the underlying problems caused by scar tissue or adhesion formation. Becoming A Provider Of ART® Only specially trained and accredited practioners may perform ART®. To be accredited, one must posses advanced knowledge of Anatomy, Neurology and muscle physiology, prior to attending the intensive training program. Becoming Proficient in ART® is comparable to learning to read Braille. It is a very difficult skill to master, so practioners are carefully trained. They May Say They Do, But Do They? Great technique and great results require great effort. Some people say they do ART® when they really don’t, or they have just read about it and think they do it. Poor results are inevitable if they are not accredited. Why ART® Is In Demand? ART® has become the treatment of choice for muscular and Tendinitis type injuries because it corrects the cause, it’s fast, effective and often only requires a few treatments for long lasting results. For athletes, fast and complete recovery from long standing muscular and repetitive strain injuries is common.