Travel Health and Fitness - Anyone try ART? (active release technique)

http://www.activerelease.com/

I seem to have a bunch of chronic things going on, and a gal I rode with on Sunday recommended I try ART. Seems most everything stems from a sprained ankle I had 2 years ago.

Has anyone done ART? Any feedback? It is a bit pricey, and unfortunately my insurance doesn't cover it. There's at least 2 sports docs locally who do it, one where my massage therapist offices (she kinda does some ART I think), and one fairly close to home.

I've found a chiropractor who participates in my insurance, who also does ART, so I'm pondering it.

I actually went on Wednesday, have a follow-up today.

I'd say it is a cross between a sports massage and physical therapy. What I like about a sports massage is pretty much just laying there, letting Stephanie have at me. What was sometimes annoying about PT was actually doing all the work.

On Wed, he asked all kinds of questions...from when I first started exercising, what I've done, he had me do toe touches (I've never in my life been able to touch my toes), lunges, and a bunch of other stuff. Then he started poking around (that's putting it mildly). More toe touches and lounges. This repeated several times, until before I left I could actually touch my toes.^

Just before I left, the doctor told me to run...the next day (yesterday). He asked what I had been doing lately, and we agreed on a distance. He said, "even if you're feeling spectacular, don't go do twice that." Of course I woke up sore, really really wanted to skip my run, but I went with it. It didn't feel horrible, and surprisingly, I didn't feel like a train wreck later in the day, which had been happening lately.

I go back this afternoon, and I'm expecting he'll tell me to run this weekend. I have people who want to run and ride with me, would be nice to at least do one, and possibly swim.


On and interesting note, when I told him I was in the Army, he asked how my PT test was. When I told him my times from then (I was 22), I said, "I know I really should accept it, but it is tough to think that I'll never be that fast again." He said, "Well you could do it once, but probably wouldn't be able to walk for a week.":D

On and interesting note, when I told him I was in the Army, he asked how my PT test was. When I told him my times from then (I was 22), I said, "I know I really should accept it, but it is tough to think that I'll never be that fast again." He said, "Well you could do it once, but probably wouldn't be able to walk for a week.":D

:) 13:31 run, max pushups, max situps. That was a LONG time ago ;)

:) 13:31 run, max pushups, max situps. That was a LONG time ago ;)

Actually my fastest run was even faster, but I did stop when I hit max for pushups and situps (no extra credit for over 100%).

I've gone back twice since. Second time, he continued to focus on my hip. The 3rd time, he went after my groin muscle, which generally flares up from riding...I'm ok through about 10 miles, then it begins, and continues for a few days after. Maybe I just need a new seat, not sure.

A nice benefit of this, is that with my decreased running, my swimming has been mostly stronger. We had a sprint day yesterday, and my times were similar to faster than a meet I did last year.