{"id":12217,"date":"2020-04-08T11:24:17","date_gmt":"2020-04-08T11:24:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/artofphysio.nl\/active-release-techniques\/"},"modified":"2025-11-10T14:40:53","modified_gmt":"2025-11-10T14:40:53","slug":"active-release-techniques","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/artofphysio.nl\/en\/active-release-techniques\/","title":{"rendered":"Active Release Techniques"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Active Release Techniques<\/h1>\n

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Faster recovery with Active Release Techniques<\/h3>\n

A strong, healthy, flexible, and pain-free body feels great to live in!
That starts with a well-functioning musculoskeletal system \u2014 especially your soft tissue: muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves, and fascia.<\/p>\n

You can do a lot yourself to keep these healthy: eat well, sleep enough, move regularly, and challenge your body to grow stronger and more resilient.<\/p>\n

But sometimes, you hit a point where self-care isn\u2019t enough.
You may feel pain, stiffness, loss of strength, stability, or endurance \u2014 and no matter what you try, it doesn\u2019t really go away.
That\u2019s when it\u2019s time to get help.<\/p>\n

You\u2019re in the right place.<\/p>\n

As physiotherapists, we treat a wide range of musculoskeletal complaints \u2014 issues affecting the body\u2019s movement system.<\/p>\n

When it comes to treating and maintaining soft tissue health, Active Release Techniques (ART)<\/strong> is one of the best methods available today.<\/p>\n

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ART isn\u2019t just used in individual healthcare \u2014 hundreds of companies worldwide benefit from on-site Active Release Techniques programs.
In workplaces that offer ART, musculoskeletal-related costs have been shown to drop by 50\u201380%<\/strong> \u2014 a major cost reduction.<\/p>\n

Even best-selling author Tim Ferriss<\/strong> recommends ART as one of the most effective ways to treat injuries.<\/p>\n

At Art of Physio<\/strong>, we specialize in this method.
Our founder, Pieter<\/strong>, is one of Europe\u2019s lead instructors for ART and teaches several courses each year to other practitioners across Europe.
There are currently only about 15 certified ART providers<\/strong> in the Netherlands \u2014 surprisingly few for such an effective method.<\/p>\n

On this page, you\u2019ll learn what ART is, how it works, and how it can help you stay strong, flexible, and pain-free.<\/p>\n

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What is Active Release Techniques (ART)?<\/span><\/h2>\n

The founder of ART, Dr. Mike Leahy<\/strong>, has an interesting background.<\/span>
Before becoming a chiropractor, he worked as a fighter and test pilot<\/strong> in the U.S. Air Force and was trained in engineering<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

When he began practicing chiropractic care in 1984, he noticed that spinal adjustments alone didn\u2019t resolve many of his patients\u2019 problems.<\/span>
He started studying the relationship between soft tissue<\/strong> and pain complaints.<\/span>
Drawing on his engineering background, he compared the body\u2019s mechanics to physical laws \u2014 and saw remarkable parallels.<\/span>
That was the beginning of ART.<\/span><\/p>\n

The results with his clients \u2014 often top athletes and high performers \u2014 were so strong that he was soon asked to teach others.<\/span><\/p>\n

Now, over 30 years later<\/strong>, ART has grown into a worldwide training institute<\/strong> with tens of thousands of certified practitioners.<\/span>
Most are based in North America, but the number in Europe is steadily increasing.<\/span>
To become certified, practitioners must pass both a written and a practical exam \u2014 and recertify annually<\/strong> to maintain their credentials.<\/span><\/p>\n

To remain truly state-of-the-art<\/em>, the ART organization includes an active research and development department<\/strong>.<\/span>
In spring 2025, for example, a new course focused on fascia (connective tissue)<\/strong> will be introduced.<\/span><\/p>\n

Many methods have borrowed parts of the ART concept and renamed it, but few invest the same time, energy, and resources into continuous development.<\/span><\/p>\n

That\u2019s the background of ART \u2014<\/span>
but what exactly is<\/em> it?<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

What ART Does<\/span><\/h2>\n

Active Release Techniques<\/strong> is a patented soft-tissue treatment method that targets problems within and between muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia, and nerves<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

To understand how ART works, it helps to look at how injuries develop<\/strong> and what processes are involved.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The Cumulative Injury Cycle<\/strong> shows how different types of injuries can begin and progress.<\/p>\n

Injuries can develop in three main ways:<\/p>\n

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\n

    \n
  • Acute injury<\/li>\n
  • Repetitive strain<\/li>\n
  • Constant pressure or tension<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

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    1. Acute Injury<\/span><\/h3>\n

    When you experience an acute injury \u2014 such as a tear, strain, or impact \u2014 an inflammatory response<\/strong> begins (see image).<\/span><\/p>\n

    Inflammation kick-starts your healing process by creating scar tissue<\/strong> \u2014 the \u201cgood stuff\u201d that reconnects damaged fibers.<\/span>
    However, sometimes excess scar tissue forms, causing layers to stick together<\/strong> when they shouldn\u2019t.<\/span>
    This can happen within a muscle, between muscles, or even between a muscle and a nerve.<\/span>
    These sticky areas are called adhesions<\/strong>, made up of collagen fibers<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Healthy muscles behave like bundles of elastic bands that shorten, lengthen, and glide smoothly along each other.<\/span>
    The more adhesions develop, the less internal glide is possible \u2014 leading to stiffness and loss of strength.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Restricted tissues experience higher internal friction, pressure, and tension<\/strong>, reducing circulation \u2014 like squeezing a sponge.<\/span>
    Poor circulation means less oxygen (a state called hypoxia<\/strong>), which in turn creates chemical changes that trigger even more adhesions.<\/span><\/p>\n

    And so, a vicious cycle<\/strong> begins.<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n

    2. Repetitive Injury<\/span><\/h3>\n

    Repetitive movements \u2014 especially small, repeated motions \u2014 create chronic tension in the muscles.<\/span>
    Nearby tissues such as fascia, nerves, and ligaments can also become tight, restricting the entire area.<\/span>
    That\u2019s why small, localized issues often spread over time.<\/span><\/p>\n

    If internal tension becomes high enough, even without an external force, acute inflammation<\/strong> can occur.<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n

    3. Constant Pressure or Tension<\/span><\/h3>\n

    Constant pressure or compression is the third way to enter the cumulative injury cycle.<\/span>
    We know that sustained pressure reduces circulation, which triggers all the downstream effects described above.<\/span><\/p>\n

    ART breaks this cycle<\/strong> by targeting and releasing adhesions and fibrosis.<\/span>
    As the tissue becomes more supple and circulation improves, healing accelerates<\/strong> and pain decreases<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Because each tissue has its own place and structure in the body \u2014 and trained hands can distinguish between them \u2014 ART allows for highly specific, efficient, and fast results<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

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    How ART Works on a Tissue Level<\/h2>\n

    Muscle tissue is made of collagen<\/strong> and elastin<\/strong>, giving it flexibility.
    Adhesions, however, are made almost entirely of collagen fibers<\/strong> \u2014 they don\u2019t stretch.<\/p>\n

    By taking a tissue to its full stretch and then adding targeted tension, adhesions have nowhere to go \u2014 and they break down<\/strong>.
    Both therapist and client can feel the tissue soften and move more freely.
    That\u2019s the release<\/em> in Active Release Techniques<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

      \n
    • A typical ART treatment pass includes these steps:<\/li>\n
    • Shorten the tissue.<\/li>\n
    • Apply the correct depth and tension with the hands.<\/li>\n
    • Move the tissue through its full range (stretch).<\/li>\n
    • Maintain the tension until the release occurs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
      \n

      The Unique Aspect of ART: Treating Nerve Entrapments<\/h2>\n

      One of the most distinctive features of ART is its ability to treat nerve entrapments<\/strong>.
      For nerves to function well, they must glide freely through and along surrounding tissue \u2014 and they don\u2019t like compression.<\/p>\n

      When nerves can\u2019t glide or are under constant pressure, they become irritated.
      Typical symptoms include:<\/p>\n

        \n
      • \n

        Tingling<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

      • \n

        Numbness<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

      • \n

        Weakness<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

      • \n

        Localized pain<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Common examples are sciatica<\/strong>, carpal tunnel syndrome<\/strong>, and thoracic outlet compression<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

        When other treatments or training fail to help, a nerve entrapment may be the hidden cause.
        Using ART\u2019s nerve protocols, the therapist can assess where the nerve is restricted and help mobilize<\/strong> it.<\/p>\n

        \n

        Benefits of ART Compared to Other Treatments<\/h2>\n

        Think of trigger point therapy<\/strong> or traditional massage<\/strong>.
        Regular (physio)massage mainly reduces tension within a muscle but doesn\u2019t do much to improve tissue glide<\/strong> \u2014 how different layers move relative to each other.
        That\u2019s exactly where ART makes the difference.<\/p>\n

        Once tissues can glide freely again, tension decreases while strength and function improve.
        That\u2019s why ART often achieves significant results within just one or two sessions<\/strong> \u2014 reducing pain and improving mobility quickly.<\/p>\n

        \n

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        Frequently Asked Questions<\/span><\/h2>\n

        Who Is ART For?<\/span><\/h3>\n
          \n
        • \n

          People with work-related issues (RSI, stiffness from sitting long hours)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

        • \n

          Athletes with sports injuries or those wanting to enhance performance<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

        • \n

          People with chronic neck or back pain<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

        • \n

          Post-surgery patients<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n

        • \n

          Anyone who wants to maintain mobility and prevent injuries<\/span><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

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          What Can I Expect During an ART Session?<\/span><\/h3>\n

          An ART session feels similar to a targeted sports massage<\/strong> \u2014 specific, focused, and dynamic.<\/span><\/p>\n

          \n

          How Often Should I Get ART?<\/span><\/h3>\n

          At Art of Physio, a typical program lasts 6\u20138 sessions<\/strong>, depending on the type of injury.<\/span>
          We always aim for noticeable improvement within two sessions<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

          \n

          Is ART Painful?<\/span><\/h3>\n

          If there\u2019s a problem in the tissue, treatment can feel intense<\/strong>, but most people describe it as a good kind of pain<\/em> \u2014 like a firm sports massage.<\/span>
          You\u2019ll feel the tissue releasing, your movement becoming freer, and your discomfort decreasing.<\/span>
          Mild soreness afterward is normal and should fade within a day.<\/span><\/p>\n

          \n

          Is ART Covered by Insurance?<\/span><\/h3>\n

          Your ART session at Art of Physio is billed as physiotherapy<\/strong>.<\/span>
          Depending on your insurance plan, a portion of the treatment costs may be reimbursed<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

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          Reviews<\/h2>\n

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