Active Release Technique (ART) in Boise, Idaho
At Juke Chiropractic & Sports Rehab, we use Active Release Technique (ART) as part of our approach to treating muscle, tendon, and other soft tissue conditions. ART is a hands-on treatment technique that combines precise pressure with patient movement to address painful or restricted areas of soft tissue.
Rather than applying the same treatment to an entire region, ART allows us to identify specific tissues that may be contributing to pain or restricted movement and treat those areas directly.
Dr. Jon Juker is trained and certified in Active Release Technique, and ART is frequently combined with chiropractic care and exercise rehabilitation based on the individual needs of each patient.
What Is Active Release Technique?
Active Release Technique is a form of manual soft tissue treatment used for problems involving muscles, tendons, fascia, and other soft tissues.
During treatment, the provider identifies the involved tissue and applies specific tension while guiding you through a particular movement. This combination allows the treatment to target the tissue as it moves through its normal range of motion.
ART may be used when pain, tightness, or restricted movement appears to involve a specific muscle or soft tissue structure.
What Conditions Can ART Help?
Active Release Technique can be incorporated into treatment for a variety of musculoskeletal and overuse conditions.
Common areas and conditions we may treat with ART include:
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Neck and upper trapezius tension
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Low back and hip tightness
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Shoulder and rotator cuff complaints
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Tennis elbow and golfer's elbow
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Forearm and wrist overuse injuries
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Hip and gluteal pain
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Hamstring and quadriceps injuries
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Knee-related soft tissue restrictions
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Calf tightness and Achilles complaints
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Plantar fasciitis and foot pain
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Muscle strains and overuse injuries
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Sports and exercise-related soft tissue injuries
Whether ART is appropriate depends on the tissue involved and findings from your examination.
ART for Athletes and Active Adults
Repetitive training and sports can place significant demands on muscles and tendons. Running, lifting, throwing, swinging, jumping, and other repetitive movements can sometimes result in areas becoming painful, sensitive, or difficult to move comfortably.
ART gives us another tool for addressing those specific tissues while working toward restoring normal movement.
For athletes and active adults, treatment is often combined with mobility work, strengthening, and progressive rehabilitation so that improvements made during hands-on treatment can carry over into training and activity.
Active Release Technique vs. Massage
ART and massage are both hands-on soft tissue treatments, but they are used differently.
Massage commonly treats larger areas of muscle and can be useful for addressing general muscle tension, soreness, and recovery. ART is typically more targeted and involves treating a specific muscle, tendon, or soft tissue structure while that tissue moves through a controlled range of motion.
Neither treatment is inherently better than the other. The appropriate approach depends on your symptoms, goals, and what we find during your evaluation.
Combining ART With Chiropractic and Rehabilitation
Soft tissue treatment is often most useful when it is part of a broader treatment plan.
If restricted joint motion is contributing to the problem, ART may be combined with chiropractic adjustments or joint mobilization. If weakness, mobility limitations, or training demands are contributing to recurring symptoms, treatment may also include individualized rehabilitation.
For persistent tendon conditions, shockwave therapy may also be considered when appropriate.
This allows us to use hands-on treatment to improve movement and symptoms while rehabilitation helps build the capacity needed to maintain those improvements.
What Does an ART Treatment Feel Like?
ART treatment involves focused pressure over a specific tissue while you actively or passively move through a particular motion.
Because treatment often targets an irritated or sensitive area, you may feel pressure or temporary discomfort during the technique. Treatment is adjusted based on the tissue being addressed and your individual tolerance.
ART is typically incorporated into the overall treatment session rather than being performed as the same standardized routine for every patient.
