Dr. Leahy Pioneers Active Release Techniques®

The Canadian Press - DEC 31, 2002

The Active Release Techniques system was developed in 1984 by Dr. Michael Leahy, a Colorado chiropractor who became interested in treating soft tissue problems early in his practice.

"The typical methods we had just weren't fast enough — ultrasound, electrical stimulation, (applying) hot and cold. The athletes I was treating needed something a lot quicker than that,"said Leahy, who was a college athlete and has a background in engineering.

"That led me right into soft tissue in sports and after that soft tissue (disorders) in the workplace and other areas,"Leahy said in an interview from Colorado Springs.

Thinking like an engineer in terms of biomechanics, and force and function _ and combining that with his knowledge of anatomy, led him to come up with a way to help athletes.

He also began applying the principles to treat people with carpal tunnel syndrome. If people can go back to work, he considers that a success, he said.

Over the years the number of professionals who have learned active ,release has risen to about 3,000. Chiropractors still make up the largest number of ART providers, about 65 per cent. Leahy said. But he adds the technique is beginning lo cross professional barriers,

Physiotherapists make up the second largest group, and a number of athletic trainer& have also become certified.

Leahy said a few doctors have taken the classes to help them diagnose conditions.

Calgary neurologist Dr. Christopher White said he has not come across good-quality studies using control groups that determine scientifically whether the therapy is effective.

White notes active release therapy is not regulated. Therapists might say they do active release but not have the proper training, he said, adding that may be a concern to ART providers who have studied it extensively.

Edmonton chiropractor Dr. Allan Jeffels. a certified ART provider and instructor, said patients should check whether the person they go to has the proper credentials.

"They'll have a certificate on the wall that says they’re either certified in spine, upper extremity’ or lower extremity. There’s also a level 3 .. . which is a specific course for biomechanics using active release," he said.

"They are good for a year and then you're supposed to re-credential and the purpose of that is to increase the skill of the practitioner," said Jeffels.