I'm returning this book as this is more like a brochure advertising this special 'patented' technique. I understand you can't learn this type of thing from a book but still i would like to see the actual techniques in there. Its just advertising for this special 'patented' technique which i'm not going to waste anymore money on.

This book is nothing more than a lengthy brochure written by chiropractors to promote the sale of continuing education seminars to other chiropractors. As one of the prior reviewers stated, there is NO INSTRUCTION on how to provide or perform an "ART" technique. The bulk of the book is simply a review of common repetitive strain injuries and treatment options which are common physical therapy techniques.

"ART" itself does not appear to be anything specifically special other than a type of manual technique designed to release adhesions in soft tissue, of which there are many. All that is presented here is a treatment technique that has been labeled as something specific so that is could be legally protected as a specific type of treatment, then marketed and sold to other chiropractors. Indeed, the foreward is written NOT by a neutral third party but by the actual chiropractor who markets and sells the technique via seminars. The actual authors are people that have taken his course, become instructors and have basically written a text to support the marketing of the continuing education classes. There appears to be no actual scientific studies that prove "ART" techniques are any more successful than other manual techniques. The only supporting evidence provided in the book is done through case studies. Other than the promotion of "ART" and how is it "superior" to other treatment options, the remaining information in the book is again, actually common physical therapy treatment techniques (which is the book's only redeeming quality). This book and others like it would like you to think that "ART" and other "patented" techniques are something new. Most, if not all of these type of treatments, are nothing more than modifications of existing tried and true techniques that have been renamed, repackaged and sold to newer generations of clinicians. Indeed, as some chiropractors are moving closer to mainstream medicine, they are incorporating techniques used commonly in physical medicine/physical therapy but most chiropractic schools/chiropractors would never admit this, so the end result is that existing techniques are given new names so that they can be marketed with a chiropractic twist from whomever is promoting it at the time.

This is merely an introduction to Active Release Therapy and its potential in the treatment of Repetitive Strain Injuries. There is NO INSTRUCTION on how to apply ART. Consider it promotional material for Dr. Leahy . The bulk of the book is made up of an overview of common Injuries (causes, treatment options, selected exercises and stretches). One has to train and test with the author to become an ART practitioner.