Restore Movement
Active Release Technique: Relief That Goes Beyond Massage
What Is the Active Release Technique?
Active Release Technique can be a fast and effective way to increase the flexibility of your muscles and the mobility of your joints. Using Active Release provides us with a way to systematically free up your muscles so they can stretch and perform. It’s made up of around 500 positions that the practitioner uses to unlock nearly every soft tissue including nerves, tendons, facia, and muscles throughout the body.
How Can Move Origin Help?
Overuse injuries, in particular, are caused by tightness. The more restricted your flexibility is, the more overuse strains limit your capacity and exacerbate bodily wear and tear. For those who are frequently active multiple times a week, our suggestion is not to wait until you’re injured. If you address the majority of aches and pains early enough, they can usually be treated without interrupting your active lifestyle. Regular visits to Move Origin can help to ease the tension and strain of your active life on your body.
Move Origin is here for you when you need help with healing from an injury or managing chronic pain caused by work-related stress, car accidents, sports injuries or another cause. Our practitioners will work with you to develop a customized plan of care that includes both traditional and alternative therapies.
Our Approach
We have a holistic approach to getting you back on your feet. At Move Origin, our goal is for each patient's treatment plan not only includes restoring range-of motion and stability but also building strength so they can be as active with their new lifestyle!
If you’re dealing with muscle pain, tightness, or limited movement, you might be searching for a treatment that goes beyond regular massage. Active release technique (ART) is a hands-on therapy that targets soft tissue problems in muscles, tendons, ligaments, and nerves. At Move Origin, our skilled therapists use ART to help people recover from injuries, relieve pain, and get back to doing what they love.
What Is Active Release Technique?
Active release technique is a type of manual therapy developed to treat soft tissue injuries and chronic pain. It focuses on breaking up scar tissue, releasing muscle knots, and restoring normal movement. During an ART session, our therapist uses their hands to feel for areas of tightness or restriction. Then, they apply precise pressure while you move the affected area, helping to “release” the tissue and improve function. ART is widely used by athletes, office workers, and anyone who experiences muscle pain or stiffness. It’s especially effective for conditions caused by overuse, such as repetitive strain injuries, sports injuries, and even issues from sitting at a desk all day.Benefits of Active Release Technique Massage
- Pain relief: ART can quickly reduce pain caused by tight muscles, scar tissue, or pinched nerves.
- Improved mobility: By releasing restrictions in soft tissue, ART helps restore your natural range of motion.
- Faster recovery: Many people find they recover from injuries more quickly with ART, especially when combined with other therapies.
- Better athletic performance: Athletes use ART to keep their muscles healthy, prevent injuries, and perform at their best.
- Long-lasting results: Unlike some treatments that only address symptoms, ART targets the root cause of pain for lasting relief.
How Active Release Therapy Massage Works?
Active release therapy massage is a hands-on process that involves both the therapist and the client. Here’s what you can expect during a session at Move Origin:- Assessment: Your therapist will ask about your symptoms, health history, and goals. They’ll also check your movement and feel for areas of tightness.
- Treatment: The therapist uses their hands to apply gentle but firm pressure to the problem area. You’ll be asked to move the muscle or joint in a specific way while the therapist maintains pressure.
- Release: This combination of movement and pressure helps break up scar tissue, release muscle knots, and free up nerves that might be trapped.
- Reassessment: After a few passes, your therapist will check your movement again to see how much you’ve improved.
Conditions Treated with Active Release Technique
- Muscle strains and sprains
- Tendonitis (such as tennis elbow or Achilles tendonitis)
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Sciatica and nerve entrapments
- Plantar fasciitis
- Rotator cuff injuries
- Neck and back pain
- Headaches caused by muscle tension
Active Release Technique vs. Other Manual Therapies
| Therapy Type | Focus | Typical Use Cases |
|---|---|---|
| Active Release Technique | Breaks up scar tissue, releases restrictions | Overuse injuries, nerve issues |
| Remedial Massage | Relieves muscle tension, promotes healing | General pain, stress, injuries |
| Sports Therapy Massage | Prepares muscles for activity, aids recovery | Athletes, active individuals |
| Trigger Point Therapy | Targets muscle knots (trigger points) | Localised pain, referred pain |
| Dry Needling Massage | Releases deep muscle tension using needles | Chronic pain, stubborn knots |
| Cupping Therapy | Uses suction to improve blood flow, relax tissue | Muscle tightness, detox |
Safety and Practitioner Qualifications
Active release technique is safe when performed by trained professionals. At Move Origin, our therapists are certified in ART and have experience treating a wide range of conditions. Before starting treatment, we’ll review your health history and make sure ART is appropriate for you. Most people tolerate ART well, but you might feel some mild soreness after your session—similar to what you’d feel after a good workout. This usually goes away within a day or two.How ART Targets Trigger Points for Better Movement and Sports Performance?
Pinpointing and Releasing the Knot
While many therapies can address a trigger point, ART combines precise pressure with a lengthening motion of the muscle…Restoring Biomechanics for Sport
ART’s focus on movement makes it a perfect fit for sports-related issues…Breaking the Pain-Movement Cycle
Overuse and repetitive motions—common in sports—can lead to the formation of trigger points and scar tissue…Healing Starts Here: Explore Our Signature Therapies
Remedial Massage
Remedial massage/Deep tissue massage targeted therapy helps treat muscle tension…Sports Therapy Massage
Sports therapy massage is designed for active individuals and athletes…Dry Needling Massage
Dry needling massage uses fine needles to target tight knots in muscles…Cupping Therapy
Cupping therapy involves using suction cups on the skin to increase blood flow…Trigger Point Therapy
Trigger point therapy focuses on releasing specific “knots” in your muscles…Take the Next Step Toward Lasting Relief and Better Movement
At Move Origin, our experienced therapists are dedicated to helping you feel your best with proven techniques… Book your Active Release Technique session with Move Origin today, or contact us to learn more about how we can create a personalised treatment plan just for you. Your path to pain-free movement and improved well-being begins here.Move Origin Norwest
Frequently Asked Questions
Active release technique is a hands-on therapy that targets soft tissue restrictions in muscles, tendons, ligaments, and nerves to relieve pain and restore movement.
ART is effective for overuse injuries, muscle strains, tendonitis, nerve entrapments, and more.
A therapist uses their hands to apply pressure while you move the affected area, helping to break up scar tissue and release tight muscles.
Yes, when performed by a certified therapist, ART is safe and well-tolerated.
ART combines movement and precise pressure to target the root cause of pain, while other therapies may focus on general relaxation or surface-level tension.
Anyone with muscle pain, limited mobility, or injuries from overuse can benefit from ART. It’s suitable for athletes, office workers, and people recovering from surgery or injury.
