Plantar fasciitis
Heel and arch pain, often from tight calves and fascia.
Sports chiropractic soft tissue therapy · San Francisco
Active Release Technique (ART) in San Francisco
Break up scar tissue, free trapped nerves and get back to full strength. Active Release Technique is a hands-on soft tissue treatment for sports injuries, repetitive strain and the stubborn pain that hasn't responded to stretching, massage or rest.
5.0 from 272 Google reviews
Sports chiropractors
North Waterfront & Telegraph Hill
Treats
Muscles, tendons, fascia & nerves
Performed by
Sports chiropractors
Feels like
Deep pressure with movement
Downtime
None
How it works
What is Active Release Technique?
Active Release Technique (ART) is a patented, hands-on soft tissue treatment that finds and breaks up adhesions, the scar tissue that forms in muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia and around nerves after an injury or from overuse.
What makes ART different from regular muscle work is movement. Your provider applies precise tension to the exact spot while you move the muscle through its range. That combination lets the tissue slide freely again, restoring motion and taking pressure off nerves and blood vessels.
ART includes hundreds of specific protocols for individual muscles, tendons, ligaments and nerves, so treatment is matched to the precise structure causing your pain.
An ART treatment, step by step
- 1Find it. Your provider feels for changes in tissue texture, tension and movement to pinpoint the adhesion.
- 2Shorten & hold. The muscle is placed in a shortened position and firm, targeted pressure is applied.
- 3Move & release. You actively lengthen the muscle under that tension, breaking up the adhesion and restoring glide.
The root cause
Why scar tissue keeps the pain coming back
Soft tissue injuries rarely show up on X-rays. Adhesions form in three ways: acute injury (pulls, tears, collisions), repetitive strain (running, typing, lifting) and constant tension (poor posture at a desk). Once they form, they start a cycle that keeps tissue weak and tight.
- Tear or strain
- Inflammation
- Adhesion / scar tissue
- Weak & tight muscle
- Friction, pressure & less blood flow
- More tearing: the cycle repeats
How injured soft tissue changes over time
24–72 hours
Inflammation
Swelling and tenderness as the body starts repair.
2 days – 2 weeks
Stringy tissue
New fibers are laid down in a disorganized way.
2 weeks – 3 months
Lumpy adhesions
Palpable knots that limit motion and strength.
3 months +
Leathery, chronic
Thick, stiff tissue that changes slowly without treatment.
Conditions we treat
What can Active Release Technique treat?
ART helps almost any problem involving overworked or injured soft tissue. These are the conditions we see most.
Shin splints
Lower-leg pain in runners and court athletes.
IT band syndrome & knee pain
Outer-knee and hip pain that flares with running or cycling.
Piriformis syndrome & sciatica
Deep buttock pain and nerve pain running down the leg.
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Numbness and tingling in the hand from a trapped median nerve.
Thoracic outlet syndrome
Arm numbness and neck tension from compressed nerves and vessels.
Frozen shoulder & rotator cuff pain
Adhesive capsulitis, impingement and limited overhead reach.
Tennis & golfer's elbow
Forearm tendon pain from sport, lifting or the keyboard.
TMJ pain
Jaw tension, clicking and clenching-related headaches.
Neck & back pain
Desk-posture tension, strains and muscle spasms.
Hamstring & hip flexor strains
Recurring pulls that never quite heal right.
Whiplash & work injuries
Soft tissue damage after car accidents or on-the-job strain.
Who is Active Release Technique for?
Athletes
Runners, golfers, lifters, climbers and cyclists, from weekend warriors to pros.
Desk workers
Tech neck, tight hips and wrist pain from long hours at a screen.
Accident & work injuries
Soft tissue injuries after car accidents or physical jobs.
"Nothing has worked"
Pain that has lingered for months despite stretching, massage or rest.
Who treats you
Why see a sports chiropractor for ART?
ART is only as good as the diagnosis behind it. Our sports chiropractors combine a thorough history, exam and orthopedic testing with ART, so treatment targets the true source of your pain, not just where it hurts.
What to expect
Your ART treatment plan
- 01
Exam & diagnosis
History, movement screen and orthopedic tests to find exactly which tissue is involved.
- 02
Active Release treatment
A few precise passes over each structure. Treatment starts on your first visit.
- 03
Exercises & stretches
Targeted rehab to rebuild strength and flexibility so the injury doesn't return.
- 04
Track your progress
We re-check your motion and strength at every visit and adjust your plan as you improve.
Active Release Technique vs. massage vs. Graston
All three work on soft tissue, but they do different jobs. We offer each one and often combine them.
| Active Release Technique | Massage | Graston Technique | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Method | Hands + patient movement | Hands, patient at rest | Stainless steel instruments |
| Targets | Specific adhesions & trapped nerves | General muscle tension | Broad areas of fascia & scar tissue |
| Diagnosis-driven | Yes | Usually not | Yes |
| Best for | Sports & repetitive strain injuries | Relaxation, recovery | Chronic tendon & fascia problems |
| Session time on area | Minutes, very targeted | 30–60+ minutes | Several minutes per area |
Active Release Technique FAQs
Where can I get Active Release Technique in San Francisco?
TruSpine offers Active Release Technique in San Francisco near North Beach, Telegraph Hill and the Financial District, performed by our sports chiropractors led by Dr. Supreet Shah, DC, MS, CCSP. Book online or call (415) 421-1115.
What is Active Release Technique used for?
Active Release Technique treats soft tissue problems caused by scar tissue and adhesions, including plantar fasciitis, shin splints, IT band syndrome, piriformis syndrome, sciatica, carpal tunnel syndrome, thoracic outlet syndrome, frozen shoulder, tennis and golfer's elbow, TMJ pain, neck and back pain, and recurring muscle strains.
Does Active Release Technique hurt?
ART can feel intense, a deep, "good hurt" pressure, especially over tight or injured tissue. It should never be sharp or unbearable, and your provider adjusts the pressure to you. Mild soreness for a day or so afterward is normal.
How many Active Release Technique sessions will I need?
It depends on the injury, how long you've had it and how your body responds. Newer injuries often need fewer visits than long-standing ones. After your exam we'll give you an honest, realistic plan, and we re-check your progress at every visit.
What's the difference between Active Release Technique and massage?
Massage works broadly on muscle tension while you rest. ART is diagnosis-driven and highly specific: your provider applies precise tension to an adhesion while you actively move the muscle, which breaks up scar tissue and frees trapped nerves in a way general massage usually can't.
Is Active Release Technique better than Graston?
Neither is better. They're tools for different jobs. ART uses the hands and patient movement to target specific adhesions and nerve entrapments. Graston Technique uses stainless steel instruments to treat broader areas of fascia and scar tissue. We often use both in the same plan.
Can Active Release Technique help numbness and tingling?
Often, yes, when the numbness comes from a nerve trapped by tight or scarred soft tissue, as in carpal tunnel syndrome, thoracic outlet syndrome or piriformis-related sciatica. ART includes specific protocols for releasing nerve entrapments. Your exam will confirm whether that's the cause.
Who can perform Active Release Technique?
ART certification requires a professional health degree, such as a chiropractor, medical doctor, physical therapist or massage therapist. The advantage of a sports chiropractor is the ability to diagnose your injury with orthopedic testing first, so ART is aimed at the true source of the problem.
Is Active Release Technique good for runners and golfers?
Yes. ART is one of the most popular treatments for athletes because it targets overuse injuries like shin splints, IT band syndrome, plantar fasciitis, golfer's elbow and hamstring strains. Our team includes chiropractors who specialize in golf and sports injuries.
What should I do after an ART session?
Stay active with gentle movement, drink water and do the exercises and stretches we give you. They're essential for keeping the tissue healthy and preventing the injury from coming back. Ice can help if you feel sore.
Find the source. Fix the pain.
Book Active Release Technique in San Francisco with our sports chiropractors and start moving freely again.
Individual results vary. Active Release Techniques® is a registered trademark of Active Release Techniques, LLC. This page is for informational purposes and is not medical advice.