Active Release Techniques in Anchorage, AK: Why We Use It at Every Visit at Ascent Health
Dr. Tyler Wright
At Ascent Health & Performance in Anchorage, AK, we take pride in delivering advanced, results-driven care that goes far beyond quick fixes. One of the most effective tools in our toolkit is Active Release Techniques (ART)—a powerful soft tissue therapy we use in nearly every session. When patients search for effective, hands-on treatment in Anchorage, few techniques match the precision and results of Active Release Techniques in Anchorage, AK.
But what exactly is ART? What makes it different? And why do we consider it essential to helping our patients move, feel, and perform better?
Let’s dive into what ART is, what it treats, how it works, and why we integrate it in nearly every session.
What is Active Release Techniques (ART)?
ART is a patented, manual therapy technique used to treat soft tissue injuries, muscular adhesions, and movement restrictions. It involves a practitioner using their hands to assess the texture, tension, and mobility of muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia, and nerves. Once a dysfunctional area is identified, the provider applies precise tension to the tissue while the patient actively moves through a specific range of motion.
This combination of tension + movement is what separates ART from standard massage or passive soft tissue techniques.
Every ART session is unique and customized based on how the tissue feels in real time.
What Makes ART Unique?
There are several key aspects that make Active Release Techniques stand out:
- Targeted treatment: ART doesn’t rely on general pressure—it’s tissue-specific and movement-based. This makes it far more precise than many traditional massage techniques.
- Active patient involvement: Patients often move during treatment. This allows the practitioner to treat the tissue in a dynamic, functional way—closer to how it behaves during real-life activity.
- Diagnostic + therapeutic: ART doubles as an assessment tool. If movement improves immediately after treatment, we’ve likely identified a key contributor to your issue.
- Effective at breaking down adhesions: ART is particularly good at addressing fascial adhesions, scar tissue, and chronic soft tissue overload—often the hidden culprits behind movement restrictions and recurring pain.
What Conditions Does ART Treat?
At our Anchorage clinic, we use Active Release Techniques in Anchorage, AK to help with a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions, including:
- Shoulder impingement and rotator cuff injuries
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Sciatica and piriformis syndrome
- Tension headaches and cervical spine dysfunction
- Plantar fasciitis
- Tendonitis (e.g., Achilles, patellar, biceps)
- Medial tibial stress syndrome (“shin splints”)
- IT band syndrome
- Nerve entrapments (ulnar, radial, peroneal, etc.)
- Low back pain due to soft tissue restriction or muscular compensation
If there’s overuse, tightness, or compensation involved—ART is likely a powerful tool to resolve it.
How Effective is ART?
A growing body of clinical evidence supports ART’s effectiveness in both acute and chronic soft tissue conditions. Studies have shown improvements in:
- Pain reduction
- Range of motion
- Tissue texture
- Functional performance
For example:
- A 2006 study in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine found ART to significantly reduce symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome after just two weeks of treatment.
- Research presented in Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association supports its role in managing conditions like adhesive capsulitis and lower extremity overuse syndromes.
While more high-quality, large-scale trials are still needed, the clinical outcomes speak volumes. Patients typically report immediate improvement in mobility and pain, which is why athletes, outdoor enthusiasts, and active individuals across Anchorage turn to Active Release Techniques for performance and recovery.
Does ART Replace Chiropractic Adjustments?
No—but it absolutely supports them.
Chiropractic adjustments restore joint mobility and nervous system input. But if the soft tissues surrounding a joint are restricted, inflamed, or chronically tight, those joints can quickly become restricted again.
That’s where ART comes in.
By resolving soft tissue adhesions and improving muscle function first, we create a cleaner canvas for the adjustment. Often, fewer adjustments are needed over time when ART is included—because the underlying soft tissue dysfunction has been addressed.
We don’t believe in using adjustments as a magic fix. We use them as part of a broader strategy to restore function—and ART is often the missing link in traditional chiropractic care.
Why Do We Use ART in Every Visit?
We’ve found that combining adjustments with Active Release Techniques in Anchorage, AK leads to better results, faster outcomes, and longer-lasting relief.
Here’s why ART is a cornerstone of our care:
- It provides immediate feedback on progress.
- It helps speed up healing and reduce inflammation.
- It complements adjustments and improves rehab outcomes.
- It helps bridge the gap between passive care and active movement.
- Most importantly, it helps patients get out of pain and back to their goals faster.
Whether you’re an office worker with tech neck, a weekend warrior nursing an old injury, or an athlete pushing your limits—ART helps us help you move better, recover faster, and stay injury-free longer.
Final Thoughts
Active Release Techniques are a powerful tool when combined with chiropractic adjustments, strength-based rehab, and smart recovery. At Ascent Health & Performance, we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all treatments. That’s why Active Release Techniques in Anchorage, AK are part of nearly every visit—because it helps us target the real problem, not just the symptom.
Ready to experience Active Release Techniques in Anchorage, AK?
👉 Book your appointment and feel the difference that advanced soft tissue therapy can make.