Active Release Technique, usually shortened to ART, is a hands-on soft tissue treatment used for overuse injuries and repetitive strain injuries. What separates it from massage is that you move while the practitioner holds tension on the tissue.

How an ART Session Works

The practitioner locates the affected areas by hand, applies precise tension with a thumb or fingers, then asks you to move the limb through a specific range. The movement lengthens the tissue under that contact point.

A typical pass takes only a few seconds and is repeated several times. An art session is usually short, and it is targeted treatment rather than general relaxation work. You should expect to be participating rather than lying still.

The rationale is that overused muscles develop dense, disorganised tissue and adhesions between structures that should glide against each other. That scar tissue can create tension, restrict movement and irritate nearby nerves. Combining contact with active movement is intended to restore that glide more specifically than static pressure would.

What It Is Used For

• Tendinopathy at the elbow, shoulder, hip, knee or Achilles

• Plantar fasciitis

• IT band–related knee pain

• Shin splints

• Neck and shoulder tension from desk work

• Nerve entrapment symptoms, including carpal tunnel presentations

• Soft tissue injuries that have plateaued with other treatment

It is applied most often to repetitive-load soft tissue conditions in runners, cyclists, throwing athletes and people who spend long hours at a keyboard.

What to Expect

Most people describe it as intense but tolerable, with a distinct pulling or releasing sensation as the tissue moves under the contact. Mild soreness for a day afterward is common.

Some notice improved range immediately. Pain relief more often builds over several sessions, and a course of care typically runs a handful of visits rather than one.

An ART certified provider has completed the specific training programme, which is worth asking about since the technique depends heavily on knowing exactly where to make contact.

Where It Fits

Soft tissue treatment addresses the tissue. It does not change the training error, workstation setup or strength deficit that produced the overload. Practitioners pair the ART technique with loading exercise and activity adjustment for that reason, and treatment without that second half tends to produce short-lived results.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Is It Different from Deep Tissue Massage?

Active release involves your movement during treatment and targets specific structures for a few seconds at a time, rather than working broadly over a region.

How Many Sessions?

Commonly three to six for a straightforward problem. Longstanding cases take more, and a practitioner should give you a reassessment point.

Does It Lead to Faster Recovery?

Many athletes report it helps them return to training sooner. Research on soft tissue techniques generally shows short-term improvements in range and pain, with the strongest results when combined with exercise.

Is It Safe?

Generally, though it should be modified or avoided with acute injury, bleeding disorders, or skin conditions in the area. Tell your practitioner your history.

Booking an Assessment

At Heem Health in Tustin, soft tissue work is selected based on what the examination finds and delivered alongside rehabilitation. Read about our supportive therapies, our services for athletes, or contact the clinic to book.

This article is provided for general educational purposes and is not medical advice. It does not replace assessment by a qualified healthcare provider, and individual results vary.