Active Release Therapy (ART)
Burnaby Metrotown & Coquitlam Square
Active Release Therapy (ART) is a specialized, movement-based soft-tissue technique used to treat muscles, fascia, tendons, ligaments, and nerves. Unlike traditional massage, ART blends precise tension with guided movement to break down adhesions, restore proper tissue function, and relieve discomfort caused by overuse, strain, or restricted mobility.
At Motion Pro Health, our chiropractors use ART to address chronic tightness, nerve irritation, posture-related tension, athletic overuse injuries, and movement restrictions that haven’t improved with stretching alone. ART is precise, hands-on, and highly individualized, making it one of the most effective soft-tissue therapies available.
Burnaby – Metrotown
Coquitlam – Coquitlam Square
Book Online → https://motionpro.janeapp.com/
What Is Active Release Therapy?
Active Release Therapy is designed to identify and release scar tissue, adhesions, and soft-tissue restrictions that interfere with normal movement. Over time, these restrictions can form due to repetitive motion, poor posture, training, or injury. When tissue becomes tight or stuck, it can restrict mobility, cause chronic discomfort, and place strain on surrounding muscles and joints.
ART combines manual tension with specific patient movements to separate and lengthen restricted tissues. This helps restore optimal function and allows the body to move with greater ease and comfort.
The ART Process
Every ART session is structured, intentional, and tailored to your condition. Although the technique is hands-on, it differs from massage in both purpose and method.
Assessment
Your practitioner begins with a detailed history and movement-based evaluation to identify the origin of your discomfort, areas of restriction, and patterns of compensation.
Precise Hands-On Contact
Your practitioner locates areas of tension or adhesion within muscles, fascia, or nerves, using precise palpation to understand how the tissues are moving—or not moving.
Active Movement
You will be guided through specific movements while tension is applied to targeted tissues. This combination of motion and pressure helps break down adhesions and restore normal gliding of muscle and fascia.
Condition-Specific Protocols
ART practitioners are trained in specialized protocols developed for hundreds of specific musculoskeletal conditions. Each sequence is chosen based on the area involved and the pattern of restriction.
Ongoing Communication
You are encouraged to communicate pressure levels and sensations throughout the session. ART should be firm but manageable, always within your comfort level.
Pain Relief & Improved Function
As adhesions break down, many patients experience reduced pain, improved flexibility, and smoother movement patterns.
Post-Treatment Guidance
You may receive simple exercises, mobility drills, or stretches to reinforce the benefits of ART between visits and support long-term tissue health.
How ART Helps
Adhesions and scar tissue can limit how muscles, fascia, and nerves move. ART helps restore mobility by treating the underlying restriction rather than only the surrounding tension. Many patients experience benefits such as:
Improved range of motion and natural movement
Reduced pain in the neck, back, shoulders, hips, or limbs
Decreased nerve irritation and tingling sensations
Faster recovery from repetitive strain or athletic overuse
Greater freedom of movement during work, sport, or daily activity
Relief from tension that does not improve with stretching
ART is highly beneficial for individuals dealing with chronic tightness, desk-related stiffness, sports-related injuries, or discomfort related to repetitive patterns.
Why Choose Motion Pro Health for Active Release Therapy
Our chiropractors at Motion Pro Health are trained in ART and combine it with spinal adjustments, soft-tissue therapy, and posture correction when needed. This integrated approach allows us to treat the root cause of discomfort—not just the symptoms.
With modern clinics in Burnaby Metrotown and Coquitlam Square, personalized assessment, and a supportive, calm environment, you receive care that is effective, detailed, and geared toward long-term improvement.
Scientific Articles & Research
Soft Tissue Disorders & Manual Therapy — NIH / National Library of Medicine
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8915715/
Myofascial Restrictions & Soft Tissue Treatment — Frontiers in Medicine
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/medicine/articles/10.3389/fmed.2021.697986/full
Manual Therapy & Tissue Mobility — Journal of Manipulative & Physiological Therapeutics
https://www.jmptonline.org/
Active Soft Tissue Techniques & Mobility Outcomes — NIH / National Library of Medicine
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27318605/
Sports-Related Soft Tissue Adhesions — NIH / National Library of Medicine
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12140169/
These studies highlight the role of soft-tissue therapies—including ART—in improving mobility, decreasing tension, and supporting recovery.
