# What is "Active Release Therapy"?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-active-release-therapy/119233>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [July 16, 2002, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-active-release-therapy/119233 "2002-07-16T14:12:49Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Cubsfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Cubsfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cubsfan)\
**Post date:** [July 16, 2002, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-active-release-therapy/119233/1 "2002-07-16T14:12:49Z")

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[http://www.activerelease.com/](http://www.activerelease.com/)

I have been reading a little bit about this online and I was wondering if anyone had ever gotten it, or knows someone who has?

Do they poke you with a needle? Is it massaging you? Is it worth the time?

Are there any disadvantages to this therapy?

The website I listed seems more like a sales site than anything else. I just wanted to get an outside opinion.

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**Author:** ![Kamandi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/5daacb/32.png) [@Kamandi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamandi)\
**Post date:** [July 16, 2002, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-active-release-therapy/119233/2 "2002-07-16T20:11:10Z")

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Hmmm. Nothing on [Quackwatch.com](http://Quackwatch.com) about it. I sent them an e-mail asking if they have any info. I’ll post it if they get back to me.

It sure looks like quackery. The site appears to be primarily interested in selling franchises. Lots of testimonials on the site, but no mention of any scientific studies.

> [@](#):
>
> ART has been developed, refined, and patented by P. Michael Leahy, DC, CCSP. Dr. Leahy noticed that his patients’ symptoms seemed to be related to changes in their soft tissues that could be felt by hand. By observing how muscles, fascia, tendons, ligaments and nerves responded to different types of work, Dr. Leahy was able to consistently resolve over 90% of his patients’ problems. He now teaches and certifies health care providers to use ART.

A 90% success rate! That would be impressive if the claim weren’t so vague.

I’d be very, very skeptical.