
What is Active Release Technique?
Active Release Technique is a state-of-the-art soft tissue system/movement-based technique that uses hands-on evaluation and treatment of the muscles, ligaments, tendons, fascia, and nerves. … This scar-tissue binds-up and ties down tissues that need to move freely. . A multitude of musculoskeletal conditions can benefit from ART. These conditions all have one important similarity: they are frequently the result of overused muscles, causing muscle spasms, scar tissue, and eventual loss of function within a region of the body.
What makes the Active Release Technique different from other techniques?
The difference between ART and other techniques is that during ART treatment, the patient actively moves the affected structure (muscle or ligament) while the practitioner presses or maintains contact on the injured area. This allows the practitioner to feel the structure as it moves under their contact, and to effectively treat those restricted muscles, tendons, or ligaments.
How overuse affects your muscles
When muscles (and other soft tissues) are overused, three types of problems may result:
- Acute conditions such as pulls, tears, muscle spasms or contracture, etc.
- Small tears resulting from repetitive motion (also known as micro-trauma)
- Hypoxia or a lack of oxygen to the injured area
Your body responds to these occurrences by producing tough, dense scar tissue in the problem area. This scar tissue restricts healthy tissues, preventing them from moving freely. As more scar tissue builds, your muscles weaken and become shorter, nerves can become trapped, and the tension that is placed on the tendons might even cause tendon inflammation or tendonitis. Eventually, all of this leads to a reduced range of motion, loss of strength, and pain. In cases where a nerve is trapped, you might experience tingling, numbness, and weakness as well
Benefits include:
- increased flexibility.
- increased range of motion.
- decreased lower back pain.
- improved chronic neck pain.
- relief of tension headaches.
- management of carpal tunnel.
- management of shin splints.
- management of plantar fasciitis.
Does the active release technique work?
How active release technique works. Artworks by breaking up adhesions, which are dense collections of scar tissue that form when muscles and connective tissues are injured. When the scar tissue binds between your muscles, it limits flexibility, causing pain and stiffness in muscles and joints.
Is the active release technique the same as a myofascial release?
ART (Active Release Technique) is a specific soft tissue system/movement-based massage technique that treats problems with muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia, and nerves. … Myofascial release method engages the myofascial tissue restriction or tension.
Does the active release technique hurt?

Patients usually know when this has occurred as the tissue is no longer tender and the range of motion is immediately improved. Since Active Release Technique involves the remodeling of scar tissue, there is some discomfort during treatment, but most patients describe it as a ‘good hurt’.
Is active release therapy painful?
The active release technique (ART) is a manual therapy for the recovery of soft tissue function that involves the removal of scar tissue, which can cause pain, stiffness, muscle weakness, and abnormal sensations including mechanical dysfunction in the muscles, myofascial, and soft tissue.
What is Scar Tissue Release Therapy?


Scar Tissue Release Therapy is a gentle and effective technique used to decrease discomfort, fascial adhesions, dark coloring, or congestion of scar tissue. … You can also combine your scar tissue session with a custom massage.
Active Release Techniques (ART) is one of the fastest-growing treatment methods in sports rehab and physical therapy practices today. An innovative method to treat the soft tissue system through massage targets the body’s muscles, ligaments, tendons, nerves, and fascia. With the ability to treat injuries quickly, effectively, and permanently, injured athletes across the world are beginning to understand the vast benefits associated with ART. When it comes to athletic training, overuse injuries are by and for the most frequently seen sports injuries. ART was created specifically to treat the damages associated with overuse in conditions such as tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, shoulder pain, sciatica, knee problems, and much, much more.
Using ART methodology, the massage therapist is able to use their hands to determine the tightness, texture, and movement of the fascia, muscles, ligaments, nerves, and tendons. In doing so, they are able to treat the abnormal tissues through tension precision targeting very specific movements. The foundation of ART treatment lies in the individual, as no two injuries are identical. As patients begin to feel the quick effects of ART, they immediately become advocates.

The following are the top benefits of Active Release Techniques:
- Cleans out scar tissue and adhesions in muscles
- Improves range of motion
- Treats the most common and painful sports injuries (overuse injuries)
- Works to relieve headaches
- Treats joint conditions
- Quick results through effective muscle targeting
- Rapid recovery to get back to the sport as soon as possible
- Vast pain reduction through non-invasive treatment
- Correct soft tissue and muscle problems successfully
- Improved overall performance with proper muscle movement and function

*Disclaimer: This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider.
Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.
The information provided is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a diagnosis, treatment, or prescription of any kind. The decision to use, or not to use, any information is the sole responsibility of the reader. These statements are not expressions of legal opinion relative to the scope of practice, medical diagnosis, or medical advice, nor do they represent an endorsement of any product, company, or specific massage therapy technique, modality, or approach. All trademarks, registered trademarks, brand names, registered brand names, logos, and company logos referenced in this post are the property of their owners.