• Active Release Techniques
• Sports Massage
• Deep Tissue Bodywork

About the Athelete's Edge - The Athlete's Edge offers hands-on therapies for acute and chronic injuries, including Active Release Techniques® (ART®), Sports Massage, and Deep Tissue Bodywork, along with techniques for ongoing stretching and flexibility, care and prevention of injuries, and optimal athletic performance.

Anthony Gilbert is the owner and founder of The Athlete's Edge, based in San Mateo, California. He has been in private practice since 1984. Anthony is nationally certified in Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork and is a member of the American Massage Therapy Association (AMTA). He is a graduate of the Sports Massage Training Institute, and has had extensive training in Active Release Techniques, Swedish massage, Deep Tissue Integration, and Neuromuscular Therapy. Anthony is one of the few therapists in the country certified to teach the ART method. He also presents workshops on injury prevention to corporations, athletic clubs, and high school and college athletic teams. Anthony has worked with both professional and amateur athletes, including Olympic athletes, triathletes, football players, baseball players, bodybuilders, dancers, and fitness enthusiasts. He also works with “corporate athletes” and those who want to regain the quality of life compromised by overuse injuries.

Active Release Techniques (ART)

What is ART? - ART is a series of hands-on techniques that treat injuries to soft tissues, including muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia, and nerves. The ART provider uses his hands to evaluate the texture, tightness, and movement of soft tissues in order to locate and treat abnormal inflammation and adhesions.

What conditions does ART treat? - ART is especially effective with injuries due to overuse of muscles, also known as cumulative trauma or repetitive strain injury (RSI). ART can effectively treat many overuse conditions, including: back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, headache, knee problems, plantar fasciitis, sciatica, shin splints, shoulder pain, and tennis elbow.

Why is ART effective? - ART reduces pain and restores function by treating the underlying causes of overuse injuries: muscle imbalances and adhesions (scarring). When trauma occurs - whether from surgery, accident, habitual posture, or repetitive strain - the body's natural response is the formation of scar tissue. Scarring causes tissues to adhere to themselves as well as to other related structures. These adhesions are responsible for pain, lack of flexibility, and loss of function.

• Repetitive effort causes weak and tight muscles
• Weak muscles lead to internal friction, tension, and inflammation
• Chronic tension causes swelling and decreased circulation
• Decreased circulation causes more inflammation and adhesions between tissues

Sports Massage - Sports massage is a fast-paced treatment that can improve performance, prevent injury, and speed healing for athletes of all levels and abilities. It combines relaxing Swedish massage with specific techniques such as compression, trigger point therapy, and cross-fiber friction.

Deep Tissue Bodywork - Deep Tissue Bodywork is a combination of techniques that focus on relaxation and stress reduction. Therapy includes hands-on massage, along with education on strengthening, stretching, and posture. Clients report feeling more structurally balanced, with relief of pain and fatigue during daily activities.

Client Education and Workshops - Both individuals and groups can benefit from Anthony Gilbert's extensive experience in teaching and lecturing. Contact the Athlete's Edge for more information on:

• Individual sessions on posture, exercise, and injury prevention tailored to specific ergonomic needs
• Workshops for corporations on posture and exercises to prevent repetitive strain injury
• Workshops for sports teams on flexibility, strength training, and injury prevention

  Bodywork for the Athlete - Performance counts, whether you are a professional or amateur athlete. The combination of Active Release Techniques and sports massage can give you the edge you need to compete.

The Athlete's Edge offers bodywork designed for your needs as an athlete:

• Pre-event - treatment that increases circulation and flexibility and leaves your muscles relaxed, resilient, and ready to go
• Post-event - treatment that relieves muscle spasms and increases circulation to promote recovery and prevent soreness
• Regular maintenance - treatment that relieves biomechanical stress before it becomes a problem and allows you to train harder and more consistently
• Injury rehabilitation - treatment that reduces pain, speeds healing, and increases flexibility

Anthony Gilbert is trained in biomechanics to accurately assess the interrelated motions and postures of the body during sports and other activities. Evaluation includes individual recommendations and contraindications for movement and muscle stretching at home, pre- event, post-event, and post-injury.

Bodywork is for Everyone - Whether you are a professional or amateur athlete, fitness enthusiast, "corporate athlete," or someone who just needs to restore pleasure in daily activities, ART and other therapeutic bodywork lets you regain and sustain your activity level.

• Decrease pain from acute or chronic injury, or over- training
• Rapidly reduce muscle fatigue and soreness
• Reduce bruising and swelling
• Speed healing
• Increase muscle cell circulation, metabolism, and nutrition for repair and growth
• Increase muscle tone, flexibility, and range of motion
• Promote overall muscle balance
• Enhance body awareness
• Promote mental and physical relaxation to enhance repair and recovery
• Prevent injury by keeping muscles relaxed, resilient, and balanced

Contact The Athlete's Edge - Contact Anthony Gilbert of The Athlete’s Edge to find out which treatments are the best fit for you.

• Telephone: (650) 347-2180
• Fax: (650) 347-2160
• E-mail: n2raftn@hotmail.com