Welcome to Pro-Active Physical Therapy   
Pro-Active Physical Therapy specializes in not only sports related injuries, but post-surgical cases, traumatic injury cases, and complicated cases, where traditional physical therapy has failed.  Our mission is to provide the most progressive, effective, and professional care possible to our clients.


The Pro-Active Treatment Philosophy
The Pro-Active System approaches physical rehabilitation through an integration of several manual treatment philosophies including Active Release Techniques (ART), Aaron Mattes’ Active Isolated Stretching (AIS) method, the Graston Technique, joint mobilizations, and others.  We also utilize cutting edge photon/laser treatments.  By esoterically utilizing the most efficient elements from each treatment approach, the most effective treatment (available) becomes possible.

Because the Pro-Active System treats the injured tissues first (ex. fascia, muscle, nerve entrapments, tendons, ligaments, and scar tissue adhesions), improved functional movement is restored, often within the first session.  This then allows performance of stretching and strengthening exercises to be performed through a greater range of pain free motion.  These stretching and strengthening exercises provide the patient with the necessary tools for long term healing of the injured tissues, as well as for the correction of postural imbalances that likely created the underlying basis for the injury.



What are Active Release Techniques (ART)?
ART is a patented, state of the art soft tissue system developed by P. Michael Leahy, DC, CCSP.  ART is a movement based massage technique that treats problems with muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia and nerves. Headaches, back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, shin splints, shoulder pain, sciatica, plantar fasciitis, knee problems, and tennis elbow are just a few of the many conditions that can be resolved quickly and permanently with ART. These conditions all have one important thing in common: they are often a result of overused muscles.

How do overuse conditions occur?

What is an ART treatment like?
Every ART session is actually a combination of examination and treatment. The ART provider uses his or her hands to evaluate the texture, tightness and movement of muscles, fascia, tendons, ligaments and nerves. Abnormal tissues are treated by combining precisely directed tension with very specific patient movements.

These treatment protocols - over 500 specific moves - are unique to ART. They allow providers to identify and correct the specific problems that are affecting each individual patient. ART is not a cookie-cutter approach.

The Active Isolated Stretching (AIS) method is a stretching technique that provides effective, dynamic, facilitated stretching of major muscle groups.  More importantly, AIS provides functional and physiological restoration of superficial and deep fascial planes.

Over the past few decades many experts have advocated that stretching should last up to 60 seconds. For years, this prolonged static stretching technique was the gold standard. However, prolonged static stretching actually decreases the blood flow within the tissues, which creates localized ischemia and lactic acid buildup. This can potentially cause irritation or injury to local muscular, tendinous, lymphatic, and neural tissues (similar to the effects and consequences of trauma and overuse syndromes).

Aaron Mattes’ AIS Technique effectively promotes deep and superficial fascial release, which thereby restores proper fascial planes allowing for optimal physiologic function. Performing an Active Isolated Stretch for no longer than 2.0 seconds allows the target muscles to optimally lengthen, without triggering the protective stretch reflex. The subsequent reciprocal antagonistic muscle contraction allows the targeted muscle to achieve a maximum state of relaxation.

The Aaron Mattes AIS Method achieves superior myofascial release and optimal flexibility by actively contracting an agonist muscle, while reciprocally inhibiting the antagonist muscle.  Using a 2.0 second stretch has proven to be the key in avoiding a reflexive guarding contraction of the targeted antagonistic muscle.

What is the Graston Technique®?
The Graston Technique® incorporates a patented form of instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization that enables clinicians to effectively detect and treat scar tissue and restrictions that affect normal function.

The Technique:

• Separates and breaks down collagen cross-links.  Splays and stretches connective tissue and muscle fibers
• Facilitates reflex changes in the chronic muscle holding pattern
• Increases the rate and amount of blood flow to and from the area
• Increases cellular activity in the region, including fibroblasts and mast cells
• Increases histamine response secondary to mast cell activity

The Graston Technique® (GT) Instruments, while enhancing the clinician's ability to detect fascial adhesions and restrictions, have been clinically proven to achieve quicker and better outcomes in treating both acute and chronic conditions, including:

• Cervical sprain/strain   (neck pain)   
  
• Lumbar sprain/strain   (back pain)
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome   (wrist pain)   
  
• Plantar Fasciitis   (foot pain)
• Lateral Epicondylitis   (tennis elbow)   
  
• Medial Epicondylitis   (golfer's elbow)
• Rotator Cuff Tendinitis   (shoulder pain)   
  
• Patellofemoral Disorders   (knee pain)
• Achilles Tendinitis   (ankle pain)   
  
• Fibromyalgia
• Scar Tissue   
  
• Trigger Finger
• Shin Splints