Clackamas Chiropractor | Dr. Kim Jameson

What is Active Release Technique® (ART)?

ART is a patented, state-of-the-art soft tissue system that treats problems with muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia and nerves. Developed for Olympic and World-class athletes, ART was only available to high level athletes that could travel to Colorado until about 20 years ago. Dr. Kim was first credentialed in ART in 1998 and has used it 90% of the time in her practice since then. She is now a Master Full-Body ART Provider (she was in the first Master ART graduating class in 2007) and is the only provider of her caliber in her region.

Headaches, back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, shin splints, shoulder pain, sciatica, plantar fascitis, knee problems, plantar fasciitis, foot pain, fibromyalgia, 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 and the resultant scar tissue.

How do overuse conditions occur?

Over-used muscles (and other soft tissues) change in three important ways:

acute conditions (pulls, tears, collisions, etc),
accumulation of small tears (micro-trauma)
not getting enough oxygen (hypoxia).

Each of these factors can cause your body to produce tough, dense scar tissue in the affected area. This scar tissue binds up and ties down tissues that need to move freely (Like a spot weld between muscles). As scar tissue builds up, muscles become shorter and weaker, tension on tendons causes tendonitis, and nerves can become trapped. This can cause reduced range of motion, loss of strength, and pain. If a nerve is trapped you may also feel tingling, numbness, and weakness (people often refer to this as a "pinched" nerve).

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.

What does ART do?

ART actually helps to permanently remove scar tissue to get people well faster and stay well longer. It is not uncommon for people to get well 40% faster with ART. And even those "old, chronic" conditions that you thought might not ever be helped - often times ART can reduce or eliminate the problems, even if you have suffered for years.

Just listen to what our patients are saying:

“About 30 years ago I was tromped by a steel-shod horse while I was lying unconscious on concrete. Unsurprisingly, it scarred badly, leaving a long divot in my thigh that was about an inch or so deep -- it was large enough it could be easily felt through jeans. It was one of those things I thought I just had to live with. Last year I started going to Dr. Kim Jameson for my feet and calves, and at one point she noticed my thigh and asked why I didn't get that fixed -- I had no idea she could do that. Now, only 5 or 6 sessions later, the scar tissue in my thigh has been broken up and smoothed out so much you *can't even see* the difference any more! I had no idea this could even be done at all -- I am *thrilled* with Dr. Kim's work, and I can't recommend her enough!” Collie Collier

“Both my daughter and I have seen Dr. Kim as patients many times. My daughter is an athlete and Dr. Kim's in depth knowledge serves her well in knowing what to treat and how. She is a great teacher, so you know what's going on with your body and why. Plus, she is THE PRO when it comes to soft tissue adjustment (Active Release Therapy). Here's something that blew me away though: Kim said that my daughter had one leg shorter than the other (not physically, but positionally). I thought to myself that "every chiropractor says that".

Here's the key part, I SAW IT WITH MY OWN EYES THAT HER LEG WAS A GOOD INCH LONGER THAN THE OTHER AND AFTER THE ADJUSTMENT - IT WASN'T!!! That's not all though, Dr. Kim took the time to explain in detail WHY her leg was that way so now I understand how that sort of thing happens and exactly why adjustments work. As a result of what my daughter learned by simply going to see Dr. Kim, she now wants to become a chiropractor and specialize in ART! Maybe in another 6-8 years Dr. Kim will take her on as an apprentice !(hint-hint)!” Patti Glick

“I went to Dr. Kim for a chronic shoulder pain. Just after six sessions with her "active release technique", my shoulder was pain free! Kim is certainly knowledgeable in her field. I highly recommend her chiropractic services. She's high energy and certainly you will walk away knowing she has given you her best.” Carol Satterlee

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