Active Release Technique (ART) is a non-invasive manual therapy technique that works to correct soft tissue restrictions that cause pain and mobility issues. The goal is to break down scar tissue and adhesions in order to optimize function in the body. The technique can be applied to both acute and chronic conditions involving muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, and fascia.
Tissues are prone to negative changes from trauma, such as swelling, fibrosis and adhesions. During treatment, the clinician uses manual therapy to apply compressive, tensile and shear forces to address repetitive strain injuries, cumulative trauma injuris, and constant pressure tension lesions. The clinician applies deep tension at the area of tenderness whilst the patient is instructed to actively move the injury site from a shortened to a lenghtened position. The placing of a contact point near the lesion and causing the patient to move in a manner that produces a longitudinal sliding motion of soft tissues, eg. nerves, ligaments, and muscles beneath the contact point.
