ART for Back Injuries

Back pain is one of the most common complaints with which patients present to their Chiropractor of Physiotherapist.  The point prevalence rate for lower back pain sits at 5.6%, and over 80% of the population will have an episode of acute lower back pain at some point in their lives.  Most cases self resolve with time, but often the tissues of the lower back are left adhesed, shortened, and weak as a result of the initial injury, increasing the odds of the pain reoccurring later in life.

When the lower back is injured, and this usually occrurs as a result of cumulative or repetitive injury/strain, our bodies lay down scar tissue in an effort to repair the affected region.  Unfortunately our bodies lay down this scar tissue in an unorganized fashion, causing fascial layers and muscles to stick together and shorten, hindering their blood supply, ultimately leaving the tissue more susceptible to reinjury.

Active Release Techniques (ART) is an effective treatment for the break down of this non-functional scar tissue.  Our goal with Active Release Therapy is to manually break down this tissue, and restore normal relative mobility to the tissues (muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia, nerves, blood vessels).  Once we have the tissues moving normally, we must work with each client to restore the muscle balance to the surrounding soft tissues (often called “the CORE”).

Our combination of Active Release Techniques and specific stretching and strengthening recommendations, has helped countless patients return from otherwise debilitating lower back and pelvic injuries:

The specific tissues often treated with Active Release Technique (ART) on a patient with lower back pain are listed below (although this treatment list changes slightly with each individual)

1. Psoas/Iliacus

2. Hip External Rotators

3. Lumbar Multifidii

4. QL

5. Hamstrings

6. Lumbar Erector Spinae

7. Rectus Abdominus

8. Gluteal Muscles

If you wonder whether Active Release Techniques can help you or someone you know, feel free to contact our office or book a complimentary consultation with Dr. Wilson.