Active release technique

The Gold Standard in Soft Tissue Treatment

What is ART? Active Release Therapy (ART)is actually a combination of examination and treatment. The ART provider uses his or her hands to evaluate the texture, tightness and movement of muscles, fascia, tendons, ligaments and nerves. Abnormal tissues are treated by combining precisely directed tension with very specific patient movements.

Over-used muscles (and other soft tissues) change in three important ways:

  • acute conditions (pulls, tears, collisions, etc)
  • accumulation of small tears (micro-trauma)
  • not getting enough oxygen (hypoxia)

Each of these factors can cause your body to produce tough, dense scar tissue in the affected area. This scar tissue binds up and ties down tissues that need to move freely. As scar tissue builds up, muscles become shorter and weaker, tension on tendons causes tendonitis, and nerves can become trapped. This can cause reduced range of motion, loss of strength, and pain. If a nerve is trapped you may also feel tingling, numbness, and weakness.

ART is a patented, state of the art soft tissue system/movement based massage technique that treats problems with muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia and nerves. Headaches, back pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, shin splints, shoulder pain, sciatica, plantar fasciitis, knee problems, and tennis elbow are just a few of the many conditions that can be resolved quickly and permanently with ART. These conditions all have one important thing in common: they are often a result of overused muscles.

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Articles and Research on Active release technique


1. Goss, Kim: Miracle Cure. Muscle Media 2000; Jan. 1997.

2. Mooney, Vert: Overuse Syndromes of the Upper Extremity. Rational and Effective Treatment. The Journal of Musculoskeletal Medicine; Aug. 1998.

3. Ansorage, Rick: New Treatment Relieves Pain of Repetitive Strain. Colorado Springs Gazette.

4. Gallagher, Marty: Sarchev's Release: How Active Release Saved Him From Surgery.

5. Leahy, Michael: Improved Treatments for Carpal Tunnel and Related Syndromes. Chiropractic Sports Medicine; Vol. 9, No. 1, 1995.

6. Stechschulte, Pattie: Gary Roberts: Back on the Ice. Today's Chiropractic; Jan./Feb. 1998.

7. Leahy, Michael: Active Release Techniques, Soft Tissue Methods. Canadian Chiropractic.

8. Falcon, Mike: Avoiding Surgery with ART. Max Sports and Fitness Magazine.

9. Buchberger, Dale: Posterior Superior Glenoid Impingement of the Throwing Shoulder: Evaluation and Management. Sports Chiropractic and Rehabilitation; Vol. 14, No. 2, 2000.

10. Mooney, Vert: The Role of Active Release Manual Therapy for Upper Extremity Overuse Syndromes- a Preliminary Report. Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation; Vol. 9, No. 3, 1999.

11. Buchberger, Dale: Scapular Dysfunction Impingement Syndrome as a Cause of Grade 2 Rotator Cuff Tear: A Case Study. Chiropractic Sports Medicine; Vol. 7, No. 2, 1993.

12. Buchberger, Dale: Use of Active Release Techniques in the Postoperative Shoulder: A Case Report. Sports Chiropractic and Rehabilitation; Vol. 13, No. 2,1999.

13. Leahy, Michael: Altered Biomechanics of the Shoulder and Subscapularis. Chiropractic Sports Medicine; Vol. 5, No. 3, 1991.

14. Leahy, Michael: Synoviochondromeaplasia of the Shoulder: A Case Report. Chiropractic Sports Medicine; Vol. 6, No. 1, 1992.v 15. Leahy, Michael: Myofascial Release Technique and Mechanical Compromise of Peripheral Nerves of the Upper Extremity. Chiropractic Sports Medicine; Vol. 6, No. 4, 1992.

16. Pelino, Joseph: Active Release Techniques Soft Tissue Management System, Practice Integration, Expectations and Biomechanics. Canadian Chiropractic; Sept./Oct. 1999.

17. Buchberger, Dale: Median Nerve Entrapment Resulting in Unilateral Action Tremor of the Hand. Sports and Chiropractic Rehabilitation; Vol. 10, No. 4 , 1996.

18. Baer, Jeannine: Iliotibial Band Syndrome in Cyclists: Evaluation and Treatment: A Case Report. Sports and Chiropractic Rehabilitation; Vol. 13, No. 2, 1999.

19. Buchberger, Dale: Introduction of a New Physical Examination Procedure for the Differentiation of Acromioclavicular Joint Lesions and Subacromial Impingement. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics; Vol. 22, No. 5, 1999.

20. Mooney, Vert: Lifestyle Issues, Surgery and Fracture Care, Pediatrics, Future Trends. The Journal of Musculoskeletal Medicine; Dec. 1998.

21. Hammer, Warren: Chiropractic and the "Great Race". Dynamic Chiropractic; Jul. 28, 1997.

22. Ansorage, Rick: Treatment With Muscle. Colorado Springs Gazette; Nov. 4, 1997.

23. Feschuk, Dave: Healing Hands. The Standard; Jul. 30, 1997.

24. Morris, Jim: Mullen Eyes Return Following New Therapy. Calgary Herald; Aug. 2o, 1998.

25. Mathas, Jason: Sarchev's 100% -Solution. Maximum Overheard; 1997.

26. Reese-Mudd: Injured Athletes Say Leahy has the Magic Touch. Colorado Springs Gazette; Aug. 2, 1998.

27. Board, Mike: Roberts Ready to Lace' em Up. Calgary Herald; 1997

28. Routon, Ralph: Local Chiropractor Helps Baily Work Out the Kinks. Colorado Springs Gazette; 1997.

29. Allen, Karen: Loss of Leg Barely Slows Down Cyclist, Runner Paul Martin. USA Today; Jun. 3, 1999.

30. Thompson, Rich: Roberts On Rebound. Boston Herald; Apr. 28, 1999.

31. Castro, Durlan: Tailor Made for Athletes. Long Island Voices; Nov. 1997.

32. Prokopiak, John: The ART of a Better Swing. Health and Fitness; Spring 2000.

33. Castro, Durlan: Active Release Technique.

34. Booth, Michael: A Healing Touch. Now Sports; Apr. 10, 1999.

35. Toneguzzi, Mario: Active Release Technique Helps Top Athletes.

36. Maki, Allen: Mullen Just Wants to Get Healthy, The Long Road to Recovery. The Globe and Mail; May 21, 1999.

37. Grimes, Jamie: Chiropractic Soft Tissue Therapy. Vista Magazine; 1997.

38. Starkman, Randy: Jock Therapy. The Toronto Star; Jan. 17, 1999.

39. Starkman, Randy: Poked and Pummeled to a Speedy Recovery. The Toronto Star; Jan. 17, 1999.

40. Board, Mike: Hockey Comeback, The Next Step. Calgary Herald; May 29, 1997.

41. Dempster, Greg: Hope For Repetitive Strain Injury Sufferers. Journal of Court Reporting; Aug./Oct. 1996.

42. Hill, Jeff: Activity Releasing Pain. The Calgary Sun; Nov. 8, 1999.

43. LeMay, Joe: The Resurrection of Joe LeMay.

44. Pinkowish, Mary: A Hands-On Approach to Pain Relief. Women Sports Illustrated; Nov 2002.

45. Leahy, Michael: Vertebral Artery Tension Test. Colorado Chiropractic Journal; Vol. 3, No. 2, 1998.

46. Rosenquist, Scott: The Chiropractic Treadmill Test. Dynamic Chiropractic, Feb. 24, 1997.

47. Buchberger, D.J. and Hartwell, S.J.: Shoulder Impingement Syndrome in the Overhead Athlete: A Chiropractic Approach. American Journal of Medicine and Sports; May/Jun. 2000.

48. Hartwell-Ford, S.J. and Buchburger, D.: Inferior Subluxation-Basketball. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise; 35(5); S209.

49. Buechlein, Glen: My Personal Experience With Active Release Techniques. Powerlifting USA; Vol. 27, No. 2, Oct. 2003.

50. Hooper, Joseph: The Sports Rubdown Comes of Age. Men's Journal; Jul. 2003.

51. Pinkowish, Mary Desmond: A Hands-On Approach to Pain Relief. Sports Illustrated Women; Nov. 2002.

52. Cottrell, Douglas M.: Active Release Techniques-Not Just for Athletes. Energy; Jan./Feb. 2003.

53. Falcon, Mike: Avoiding Surgery with Active Release Technique. Max Sports and Fitness; No. 37, Dec. 2001.

54. Falcon, Mike: Active Release Technique For The Five Most Injured Body Parts. Max Fitness; No. 38, Jan. 2002.