Active Release Technique
A.R.T.
Excel Physical Therapy & Fitness has more certified ART® providers than any physical therapy practice on the East Coast. Each of our ten locations has at least one certified ART® therapist.
WHAT IS A.R.T.?
Active Release Technique® (or ART®) is a patented manual therapy technique that corrects soft tissue restrictions that lead to pain and decreased mobility. Combined with traditional rehabilitation activities, this technique is producing extraordinary functional outcomes with patients.
WHO CAN BENEFIT?
Patients with repetitive use injuries, frozen shoulder, tendinopathy, carpal tunnel syndrome, plantar fasciitis, rotator cuff pathology, restricted joint motion and sprains/strains are examples of diagnoses that respond well to ART®. Usually a patient will see significant results within just a few visits. ART® is not only the treatment of choice for high performance athletes and workers’ compensation managers, but also for top sports medicine physicians in the tri-state area.
A.R.T. CERTIFICATION
Intensive training is required to become certified. Practitioners learn how to evaluate the restriction and movement of soft tissues in order to assess the pathology. They are taught over 500 specific manual therapy techniques that combine precisely directed manual tension of soft tissues with specific patient movements. Only certified ART® practitioners can legally provide this technique.
“I refer most of my patients diagnosed with soft tissue conditions to ART providers. ART provides my patients with effective and lasting results. My patients and I are grateful to our ART providers.” -Dr. Linda Silveira, M.D
Frequently Asked Questions on A.R.T. Click here to find a Certified A.R.T. provider near you Click here to watch a video on A.R.T.
Functional Movement Screen
Excel has fifteen clinicians certified in providing Functional Movement Screens. Call the location closest to you if you are interested in scheduling this screen.
F.M.S.
The FMS was developed by a physical therapist, Gray Cook, and athletic trainer, Lee Burton to identify limitations and inefficient movement patterns. It is a ranking and grading system that documents movement patterns that are key to normal function. The screen consists of seven movements which combine coordination, mobility and stability. As the client is put through these movement patterns, asymmetries and limitations are easily identified. Early identification of these issues can prevent future injuries. The FMS generates the Functional Movement Screen Score, which is used to target problems and track progress. A score less than 13 out of a possible 21 indicates a high risk for injury. This scoring system is directly linked to the most beneficial corrective exercises to restore mechanically sound movement patterns.
Corrective Strategies:
The FMS can be applied at any fitness level and takes approximately 15 minutes to administer. A customized treatment plan can be created based on an individual’s unique score.
Benefits:
- Discover hidden weaknesses and asymmetries
- Prevent injury and promote durability
- Build balanced fitness
- Magnify fitness potential
- Creates a functional baseline to mark progress
- Provides a means to measure performance
- Exercise professionals monitor the FMS score to track progress and to identify those exercises that will be most effective to restore proper movement and build strength in each individual.
McKenzie
Excel has therapists certified in the McKenzie method at our Center City, Jenkintown, Villanova and Bensalem locations.
The McKenzie Method
The McKenzie Method is more than extension exercises. McKenzie is a comprehensive approach to spine rehabilitation based on mechanical diagnosis and therapy. Most remarkable, but least appreciated, is the McKenzie assessment process.
Assessment:
Unique to the McKenzie Method is a well-defined algorithm that leads to the simple classification of spinal-related disorders. It is based on a “cause and effect” relationship between pain behavior as well as the pain response to repeated test movements, positions and activities during the assessment process. The end result is the underlying disorder can be quickly identified through objective testing in correlation with subjective information. The McKenzie classification of spinal pain provides a consistent means of classifying patients to determine appropriate treatment.
Three mechanical syndromes:
- Postural: End-range stress of normal structures
- Dysfunction: End-range stress of shortened structures (such as scarring, fibrosis, nerve root adherence)
- Derangement: Anatomical disruption or displacement within the motion segment (most commonly the disc)
All three mechanical syndromes occur in the cervical, thoracic and lumbar regions of the spine. Each distinct syndrome is addressed with mechanical procedures utilizing movement and positions.
Treatment:
McKenzie treatment emphasizes education and patient involvement. This promotes rapid restoration of function and independence. It minimizes the number of visits to the clinic because the patient is self-treating when appropriate. If a problem is more complex, self-treatment may not be possible right away. A certified McKenzie clinician will know when to provide additional advanced hands-on techniques until the patient can successfully manage the condition on their own.
Ultimately, most patients can successfully treat themselves when provided with the necessary knowledge and tools. An individualized self-treatment program tailored to the lifestyle of the patient puts the patient in control safely and effectively.
Prevention:
Patients gain experience learning to self-treat the present problem. The management of these skills and behaviors will minimize the risk of recurrence and allow patients to rapidly manage themselves should symptoms occur in the future.
Vestibular Rehabilitation
Vertigo may be due to an inner ear, or vestibular disorder. Physical therapists often specialize in an area of therapy called vestibular rehabilitation, in which therapists work to improve the symptoms of dizziness and the balance problems that you may also experience. Therapy for vestibular disorders takes many forms. The type of exercise utilized depends upon the unique problems that the individual demonstrates during the evaluation. Some exercises are geared toward helping with balance, some with helping the brain resolve differences in the inner ear signals, and some with improving the ability to visually focus. In addition, general exercise is often prescribed to improve overall physical health and well-being.
Some conditions that may be helped with Vestibular Rehabilitation:
BPPV – Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo
Concussion
Vestibular Neuritis
Labyrinthitis
MDDS – Mal de Debarquement
Dizziness
Our Center City, Villanova, Media and Cherry Hill locations have physical therapists who have taken advanced training in Vestibular rehabilitation.
