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Active Release Technique in Bakersfield: What a Visit Looks Like

If you've searched "active release technique near me," you probably want to know two things: what it is, and who in Bakersfield is certified to do it.

Active Release Technique (ART) is a hands-on soft-tissue method in which every session combines examination and treatment. At Be Well Chiropractic, Courtland Keith, D.C. is certified in ART and uses it as part of care for overused muscles, scar tissue, and nerve entrapment.

ART is one part of care, not a promise of a result. This post explains what a visit looks like so you can decide whether to ask about it.

What is Active Release Technique?

ART is a hands-on technique for muscles, fascia, tendons, ligaments, and nerves.

According to the ART model, overuse, small repeated strains and acute injuries can lead to tight, dense tissue that may limit how muscles and connective tissue move.

ART was built to find and work with those areas. ART describes more than 500 specific treatment protocols taught through its certification program. The technique itself is described by its developers at activerelease.com.

What happens during an ART visit at Be Well

Every ART session is a combination of examination and treatment. You aren't handed a generic routine.

First, Dr. Keith uses his hands to evaluate the texture, tightness, and movement of the tissue in the area you came in about.

Then he treats the tissue by combining precisely directed tension with very specific movements that you make. You stay active during the session instead of lying still the whole time.

It is not a cookie-cutter approach. What happens depends on what he finds. For the full details, see the Active Release Technique page for Be Well Chiropractic in Bakersfield.

Dr. Keith's ART certifications

ART providers can be certified in different areas. Dr. Keith is certified in:

• Upper extremity
• Lower extremity
• Spine
• Nerve entrapment
• Complex protocols
• Active palpation

If you train or race, ART fits into the sports chiropractic care at Be Well, which is built for local cyclists, runners, and weekend athletes.

Is ART the same as "active release therapy" or "ART chiro"?

Yes, they refer to the same method. People search for "active release therapy" and "ART chiro" too, but the technique's proper name is Active Release Technique.

When you call or text the office, any of those names works. The office will know you mean ART.

Before your first ART visit

There's never any charge for a brief discussion of your needs with Dr. Keith. That conversation is where he talks with you about the amount and type of care.

Before you reach out:

• Note which area you'd like looked at and which movements or activities you notice it in.
• Wear clothing that lets you move that area easily.
• Keep personal health details for the phone call or the visit, not the online form.

To request ART, call (661) 679-7902, text (866) 698-4931, or send an appointment request and choose Active Release Technique. The office confirms the time by phone. Please use the text number only for texting, not the call line.

Be Well Chiropractic, 7800 Meany Ave Suite B, Bakersfield, CA 93308.

A quick at-home movement check

This takes about two minutes. Move slowly, stay in a comfortable range and stop if anything hurts. You're simply noticing how things feel, side to side.

1. Shoulder reach. Standing tall, raise one arm straight overhead, then the other. Does one side feel tighter or stop sooner?
2. Behind-the-back reach. Reach one hand behind your lower back, palm out, and slide it gently upward. Switch sides. Is one side noticeably shorter or stiffer?
3. Neck turn. Sitting up straight, slowly turn your head to look over one shoulder, then the other. Does one direction feel more limited?
4. Wrist and forearm. With your arm straight in front of you, palm down, gently bend your wrist down, then up. Compare both arms. Any side feel tight along the forearm?
5. Calf and ankle. Facing a wall, step one foot back and gently bend your front knee, keeping your back heel down. Switch sides. Does one calf or ankle feel tighter?

If you notice a difference, it's worth mentioning at your next visit. It isn't a reason to worry.

This is not a diagnosis. A self-check can't tell you what's causing tightness or limited motion. If you have pain, an injury, numbness, tingling, weakness, or anything that worries you, see a qualified health professional. For sudden severe pain, new weakness, or loss of bladder or bowel control, seek emergency care right away.