Active Release Technique (ART lower extremity)
Active Release is a highly successful approach to injuries of muscles, tendons, nerves, and the surrounding soft tissues. Active Release is not massage, physiotherapy, or chiropractic care. While those procedures relieve muscle and motion dysfunction, they do not necessarily address the underlying problems caused by scar tissue formation. 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. For more information about this type of treatment, www.activerelease.com
Acupuncture: once considered very “alternative” acupuncture has made its way to the mainstream particularly amongst the athletic community. Acupuncture is a holistic technique to help your body get back to a state of balance and health. Acupuncture is commonly used to help manage pain and discomfort from injuries, stimulate the tissues to enhance the speed of healing, help tense and tight muscles relax, and help deal with mental as well as physical stress and emotional swings from training and racing.
Herbal Therapy: Similar to acupuncture in concept herbal therapy helps to get your body to “heal itself” but encouraging you back to a state of balance and health. Unlike medicines, Chinese herbal therapy rarely has side-effects and can provide impressive results and a way for you to continue the benefits realized through the acupuncture treatments between treatments.
Trigger Point Practical Performance Therapy: Individual training in using Trigger Point Technologies products to empower you to continue treatment on your own and not only speed up the healing of injuries but improve the elasticity in critical muscle groups, - enhancing structural integrity and core performance through muscular regeneration. These tools can bring relief to athletes afflicted with Plantar Fasciitis, IT Band Syndrome, Piriformis Syndrome, and more. By teaching you to use these tools effectively, you can take more control over your own speed of healing and also prevent future injuries.
ChiRunning® Biomechanics Instruction: Whether you are a veteran of marathons or triathlons or just beginning to run, how you run is just as important as how much you run!
The ChiRunning® methodology is a revolutionary approach to running instruction focused on running with less effort, more efficiency and injury-free.
ChiRunning®, combines the principles of Tai’chi and the laws of physics with the sport of running to:
- Greatly reduce pounding and eliminate pain;
- Utilize energy and power from core strength rather than dependence on leg muscles
- Increase performance and speed through efficient use of posture and gravity;
- Develop body sensing capabilities and responses to correct form problems real-time before they lead to physical injuries.
ChiRunning Instruction includes learning and practicing:
- Posture, how to have the most functional posture and its importance.
- Lean, how to utilize gravity for momentum while maintaining good posture
- Arm swing, how to use your arms effectively and efficiently
- Lifting your heels, how to relax your lower legs and use a mid-sole landing to prevent injury
- Stride and cadence, how to efficiently use your gears and speed control
- Hills, how to run them efficiently and without injury.
Instruction is offered in small group clinic settings as well as individual instruction.
Running Coaching: Individual running program development and support for athletes with target races or events, including weekly workouts, weekly phone and/or email support and one-on-one meetings regarding progress, biomechanics and injuries for local athletes.
All procedures are performed by Karen Smith, a licensed acupuncturist and herbalist as well as a distance runner, coach and certified Chi Running instructor. Licensed acupuncturist in the State of Texas, License # AC00834