Active Release Technique (ART) – Targeted Relief for Muscle and Soft Tissue Injuries
At Boise Spine Center, we specialize in Active Release Technique (ART)—a highly effective, hands-on therapy designed to treat sore muscles, damaged tissues, and nerve entrapments. ART has been proven to deliver rapid results, helping patients recover from a wide range of soft tissue conditions caused by overuse, injury, or restricted movement.
How Does Active Release Technique Work?
When muscles are injured or deprived of oxygen, the body forms fibrous adhesions—scar tissue that acts like “glue,” sticking muscle fibers and connective tissues together. These adhesions:
- Restrict normal sliding movements between tissues
- Limit muscle or joint movement
- Cause abnormal, painful motion
- Lead to numbness, tingling, or radiating pain when involving nerves
ART providers use highly trained tactile skills to locate scar tissue adhesions. Through a precise combination of:
- Manual contact – A specific hand or thumb contact is applied to the affected area.
- Patient movement – The patient moves the targeted muscle through a range of motion (shortening and lengthening).
This process allows the tissues to slide and release under the provider's contact, effectively breaking up adhesions, restoring movement, and alleviating pain.
Conditions Treated with ART
ART has successfully resolved many conditions caused by overused or injured muscles, including:
- Headaches
- Back Pain
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Shin Splints
- Shoulder Pain
- Sciatica
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Knee Problems
- Tennis Elbow
These issues often share a common cause: overuse, which leads to micro-trauma, scar tissue buildup, and restricted movement. ART is uniquely suited to address these problems quickly and effectively.
Why Choose Active Release Technique?
ART is not a massage, acupressure, or myofascial release technique—it is a precise and results-driven therapy that provides:
- Rapid Relief – Significant improvements in pain and mobility.
- Targeted Care – Focuses on breaking up scar tissue and adhesions in specific areas.
- Long-Term Results – Restores normal tissue function to prevent recurring issues.
Evidence-Based Care You Can Trust
At Boise Spine Center, we combine ART with other proven treatments, including:
- Exercise Therapy
- Soft Tissue Treatments
- Spinal Manipulation
This comprehensive, evidence-based approach has been shown to effectively treat neck, back, and extremity injuries—helping many patients avoid surgery, even those previously considered surgical candidates.
Experience the Benefits of ART Today
If you’re experiencing pain, restricted movement, or symptoms caused by soft tissue injuries, Active Release Technique could be the solution you need. Our highly trained providers are dedicated to helping you move better, feel stronger, and live pain-free.
