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What is Active Release Technique?

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Active release is a technique used to break down scar tissue in soft tissue structures such as muscles, tendons, ligaments, and nerves.  Scar tissue can develop during an acute injury or through repetitive stress and overuse.  Scar tissue leads to tension and stiffness in muscles, restricts mobility, and causes pain.  Your physiotherapist will identify these adhesions in soft tissues by feeling for abnormal tissue texture.  Active release technique involves applying manual tension along the scar tissue then moving the tissue from a shortened position to a fully lengthened position to break down the area of adhesion.  The purpose of active release therapy is to:

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  • ​Restore joint range of motion and relieve pain

  • ​Release entrapped nerves, blood vessels, and veins

  • Restore optimal soft tissue texture, resilience, and function

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What is an Active Release Treatment like?

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Your physiotherapist will treat the abnormal tissue by combining precisely directed tension with very specific patient movements.  There are specific active release protocols designed to treat each individual muscle, ligament, and nerve in the body.  There is over 500 treatment protocols!  Rehabilitative exercises are then prescribed to stretch and strengthen the treated tissue to restore optimal function.  A personalized active release and exercise program will be designed to help you reach your goals as fast as possible.

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What can Active Release Therapy Treat?

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Toronto is a busy city and whether your injury is from the office or the gym active release therapy is the right treatment for you. Active release is effective at treating everything from postural dysfunctions such as chronic neck and back pain to sport injuries. Active release therapy can treat:

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  • Neck (thoracic outlet syndrome, whiplash, headaches/migraines, spinal stenosis)

  • Shoulder (impingement syndrome, rotator cuff injury, biceps tendonitis, shoulder separation) 

  • Elbow (tennis or golfer’s elbow)

  • Hand and Wrist (carpel tunnel syndrome, trigger finger)

  • Back (disc herniation, sciatica, mechanical back pain, degenerative disc disease, SI joint dysfunction)

  • Hip (piriformis syndrome, hamstring tendinopathy, hip osteoarthritis, labral tears)

  • Knee (ITB syndrome, patella femoral pain syndrome, meniscus tear, knee osteoarthritis)

  • Ankle (ankle sprain, achilles tendonitis, shin splints)

  • Foot (bunions, morton’s neuroma)

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For Active Release Technique, book an appointment at Rebuild Physiotherapy in Toronto today!

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