Active Release Therapy
At Leaside Sports Medicine, our chiropractors are certified in Active Release Techniques (ART), also known as Active Release Therapy. By incorporating ART into our comprehensive treatment plans, we aim to help you achieve lasting relief and get back to your regular activities as soon and as safely as possible.
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What are Active Release Techniques?
Active Release Techniques are manual, hands-on therapy that helps correct muscular and soft tissue problems caused by scar tissue due to injury, overuse, or cumulative trauma.
How We Can Help
Active Release Techniques can help with the following:
Back pain
Tennis elbow
Sciatica
Plantar fasciitis
Neck pain
Shoulder impingement
Tendinopathies (tendinitis)
Shin Splints
Carpal tunnel syndrome
And more
Active Release Technique Applications
Reduced Pain
Active Release Techniques are highly effective in relieving chronic pain and promoting faster injury recovery.
By targeting specific soft tissue structures and breaking up scar tissue, ART allows patients to return to their daily activities and sports with greater comfort and ease.
Improved Performance
Active Release Therapy (ART) is widely used by athletes and active individuals to optimize their performance and prevent injuries.
Regular ART sessions can help identify and address potential problems before they develop into more severe conditions, ensuring fewer moments on the sidelines.
Increased Flexibility & Mobility
ART works to release tight muscles, tendons, and ligaments, which can restrict movement and cause stiffness.
By addressing these soft tissue restrictions, ART can significantly improve the range of motion and flexibility—enhancing overall physical performance and reducing the risk of future injuries.
Our Active Release Therapy Treatment Process
Assessment & Diagnosis
At Leaside Sports Medicine Clinic, your chiropractor will thoroughly assess your condition, identifying areas of pain, tenderness, and restricted movement.
This will contribute to developing a custom treatment plan, which may include using ART to address scar tissue or adhesions.
Customized Treatment
Once the problematic areas have been identified, the ART practitioner will apply precise pressure to the affected soft tissue while guiding the patient through specific movements.
This combination of pressure and movement breaks up adhesions, scar tissue, and other soft tissue restrictions that are causing pain and limiting mobility.
Ongoing Care
With regular progress check-ins, your chiropractor will adjust the treatment plan as needed.
This ensures you achieve long-lasting and effective results, helping maintain the beneficial effects of ART and other therapies.
Dr. Joseph Kottoor
Dr. Joseph Kottoor is the Owner and Clinic Director at Leaside Sports Medicine.
He is a Chiropractor, Rehabilitation Specialist, Medical Acupuncturist, Certified Active Release Techniques® Provider, Certified Personal Trainer, and provider of custom orthotics and custom knee bracing. With over 20 years of experience, Dr. Kottoor has worked with athletes from the NBA, NHL, MLB, NFL, MLS, and Olympians.
Dr. Kate Hood
Dr. Kate Hood is a Chiropractor at Leaside Sports Medicine.
She graduated from Palmer West College of Chiropractic in San Jose, California, with awards in Leadership, Sport, and Clinical Excellence. With years of experience, Dr. Hood has worked with athletes from various disciplines, including volleyball, triathlon, track and field, and swimming.
Dr. Roberta Da Re
Dr. Roberta Da Re is a Chiropractor at Leaside Sports Medicine.
She graduated Summa Cum Laude with Clinic Honours from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (CMCC) in 1996 and obtained a certificate in Medical Acupuncture from McMaster University. Dr. Da Re worked closely with competitive skiers and snowboarders in the Italian Alps for eight years. She also has extensive experience with runners, focusing on assessing running form for improved performance and injury prevention.
Active Release Techniques: FAQs
Does the Active Release Technique really work?
Yes, Active Release Techniques (ART) have a strong track record of success in our clinic and across the healthcare field. Patients frequently report significant pain reduction, improved flexibility, and enhanced athletic performance after ART sessions.
The efficacy of ART lies in its ability to pinpoint and resolve soft tissue issues that other therapies may miss, allowing for faster recovery from conditions such as back pain, sciatica, and tennis elbow, and helping to prevent reinjury by restoring proper biomechanics.
How much does Active Release Therapy cost?
The cost of Active Release Therapy at our clinic is aligned with our standard chiropractic service fees, generally at $120 per session. We believe in providing value-driven care, and ART is often incorporated into your personalized treatment plan as needed, without a separate charge per technique.
While OHIP does not cover ART, the majority of private health insurance plans offer coverage for chiropractic services, which include ART when provided by a certified chiropractor. For your convenience, we offer direct billing. We encourage you to confirm your specific benefits with your insurance provider.
What is the difference between myofascial release and Active Release Therapy?
While both myofascial release and Active Release Therapy (ART) address soft tissue restrictions, their approaches differ. Myofascial release typically involves applying sustained pressure to broader areas of fascia to release tension and enhance glide.
ART, however, is much more specific. It combines precisely directed tension from the practitioner’s hands with specific patient movements designed to lengthen the affected tissue. This unique combination helps to actively break up adhesions and scar tissue at the exact point of restriction, often leading to more rapid and targeted results for certain conditions.
Is Active Release Technique the same as Chiropractic care?
ART can be a part of chiropractic care. Chiropractic care is a broad healthcare profession focused on diagnosing, managing, and preventing musculoskeletal conditions, particularly those involving the spine and nervous system, often through adjustments.
The Active Release Technique is a specific, advanced manual therapy method used by certified practitioners (like our chiropractors) to address soft tissue dysfunctions that often contribute to pain and restricted movement.
Is Active Release Technique worth it?
Patients at Leaside Sports Medicine frequently find the Active Release Technique (ART) to be highly valuable, especially for conditions that haven’t responded well to other therapies. If you’re looking for an effective way to accelerate injury recovery, improve athletic performance, increase flexibility, or prevent future injuries caused by soft tissue restrictions, ART can be an excellent investment.
The precision and effectiveness of ART in breaking down scar tissue and restoring normal function often mean fewer sessions are needed for significant results, providing excellent value for your health and well-being.
