A.R.T???

Barefoot Everett

Barefooters
Jan 13, 2012
131
57
28
Mt. Misery, NJ
Had my first session with a sports doc who specilizes in a.r.t. on Saturday. I went not for any injury but as a recommendation from my runner friends as it would loosen me up for my upcoming marathons. This Dr. is well respected and was very open to barefoot running. My question is do the doc's here think ART is good or just a gimmick. And Will this help in injury prevention? Thank You in advance.
 
Being one of the first doc's trained in ART in the 1990's, I can tell you it is very effective in the right hands. ART is a style that is trademarked of myofascial release treatment. It was founded by Michael Leahy DCCCSP who has an engineering background and is very scientific in his approach to the development and training of his doctors. On the other hand, if the doctors thought process is wrong, ART may not be very effective. In my book Cheating Mother Nature, I talk about the idea of muscular firing patterns and why this is important. ART can improve firing patterns if used properly which improved performance, prevents injury and improved flexibility. If the doctor evaluates and treats properly, the results can be tremendous. If the doctors does not understand the problem and treats the area of symptoms, you may be dissatisfied with the result. The best doc's are now using different forms of active evaluation which help them understand firing patterns better and more accurately treat. The process is treat, test, treat, test and so on which is the best way to apply ART in my opinion because it helps them find and fix the problem most accurately using the technique.

Hope that helps.
 
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Thank You for the info I'm going to check out your book. I see you're from NJ as I am though I am further south. The guy I'm seeing is Dr. Mike Gearinger in Tom's River. He was very open to bearefoot running and comes highly reccomended by a lot of my running friends and treats works with many Ironman triathletes. I think he knows what he's doing but as a barefooter I think most of us also become sceptical of Drs. Too many told me I would never be able to run again because of knee trouble. So I did the opposite of everything they said eventually taking my shoes off and have now run several marathons and ultras and haven't had a joint pain since.
 
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I do not know Mike but if he is trained in ART, I am assuming he has good skills. Too bad about the other advice, but unfortunately, that is a reflection of the way many doctors are trained to think. Keep running!
 
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