Active Release Technique, or ART, is a hands-on soft tissue therapy designed to identify and release adhesions, scar tissue, and nerve entrapment that develop in muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia, and nerves. It is different from general massage in that it combines precise manual evaluation with targeted patient movement to address the underlying cause of soft tissue restriction rather than only the surface symptoms. At Burghealth Physical Medicine in St. Petersburg, ART is offered by Dr. Sam Richards, who is certified in upper extremity, lower extremity, spine, and nerve protocols.
What ART Is and How It Works
ART is a patented, movement-based manual therapy. During a session, the practitioner uses hands-on evaluation to find areas of abnormal tissue texture, tension, or movement. These areas often correspond to adhesions or scar tissue that has built up in response to overuse, injury, or repeated microtrauma. Once the affected tissue is located, the practitioner applies a precise tension while guiding the patient through a specific movement. The combination of pressure and motion works to break up adhesions and restore normal tissue mobility.
The underlying premise is that scar tissue and adhesions form when muscles and connective tissue are subjected to acute injury or repetitive strain. These accumulated changes reduce the ability of muscles to slide freely over one another, limit joint range of motion, and can trap or irritate nearby nerves. ART addresses these changes at the tissue level rather than working around them.
Because the technique is movement-based, the patient is an active participant during each session. The practitioner will guide you through specific ranges of motion while maintaining pressure on the targeted tissue. Sessions are typically brief, focused, and may feel more intense than a standard massage during the moments when adhesions are being addressed. Most patients adjust quickly to the sensation and many report noticing a change in tissue feel and movement within the first few sessions.
Conditions Commonly Addressed with ART
ART can be used to address a wide range of soft tissue conditions. At Burghealth Physical Medicine in St. Petersburg, some of the conditions that may benefit from this technique include:
- Shoulder pain and rotator cuff strain from overhead activity or repetitive use
- Carpal tunnel syndrome and hand or wrist pain related to nerve or tendon involvement
- Tennis elbow and golfer's elbow where repetitive forearm loading has led to adhesion in the extensor or flexor tendons
- Plantar fasciitis involving restricted fascia along the bottom of the foot
- Knee pain connected to soft tissue tightness in the surrounding musculature
- Sciatica and piriformis syndrome where nerve irritation involves the surrounding soft tissue
- Shin splints and lower leg pain common in runners and people beginning new exercise programs
- Chronic back pain with a soft tissue component that has not responded fully to other approaches
- Headaches and neck tension tied to muscular tightness in the upper cervical and suboccipital regions
This range reflects the fact that ART is a broad technique that works across the body wherever soft tissue restriction is a contributing factor. It is not limited to athletes; many patients who benefit from ART are office workers, people recovering from repetitive strain injuries, or individuals who have had pain persist after an initial injury even once the tissue has healed.
What Certification Means for Your Treatment
ART certification is specific and requires training in the exact protocols developed for each body region. At Burghealth Physical Medicine in St. Petersburg, Dr. Sam Richards holds certification in upper extremity protocols (Levels 1 and 2), lower extremity protocols (Levels 1 and 2), spine protocols, and nerve protocols. This breadth of certification means that an ART evaluation and treatment can address conditions throughout the body, not just a single region. The training emphasizes anatomy, neurology, and biomechanics so that the technique is applied with an understanding of what structures are involved and why they may be restricted.
How ART Fits Within a Broader Treatment Plan
At Burghealth Physical Medicine, ART is typically part of a broader treatment approach that may include physical therapy, chiropractic care, Class IV laser therapy, or other services depending on the patient's presentation. Soft tissue work can help restore the mobility and tissue quality that allows other interventions to be more effective. For example, releasing an adhesion in the shoulder can make a rehabilitation exercise more productive because the muscle can now move through its full range. ART may also be used after other treatments have addressed pain to help restore normal tissue function and reduce the likelihood of a return to the same restricted pattern.
The range of pain conditions seen at Burghealth Physical Medicine is broad, and soft tissue restriction is a common finding across many of them. ART is one tool in a larger kit, and the decision to include it is based on what the evaluation finds rather than on the presenting complaint alone.
What to Expect at Your First ART Appointment
Your first appointment at Burghealth Physical Medicine begins with a health history review and a physical evaluation. Dr. Richards will assess your movement, identify areas of tissue restriction, and explain what he finds before beginning any treatment. The initial ART session is typically shorter than follow-up sessions as it focuses on evaluation and on establishing a baseline understanding of your tissue.
Many patients experience some immediate change in tissue feel or range of motion during or after the first session. Full resolution of a condition generally requires several sessions, and the pace of progress varies depending on how long the restriction has been present, the activity demands of your daily life, and whether contributing factors are being addressed in parallel. Dr. Richards will give you a realistic sense of what to expect and what, if anything, you can do between sessions to support progress.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does ART hurt?
ART can produce a sensation that feels different from regular massage, particularly when working through areas with significant adhesion. Many patients describe a temporary discomfort during the technique that resolves quickly, often followed by a noticeable sense of release. The pressure and movement are controlled by the practitioner, and communication during the session helps ensure the approach stays within a productive range. Most people find that they adapt to the sensation after the first session or two.
How is ART different from deep tissue massage?
Deep tissue massage applies pressure to release muscle tension, while ART combines precise manual tension with guided patient movement to specifically target and break up adhesions and scar tissue. ART is also guided by a systematic evaluation process that identifies specific tissue restrictions rather than applying broad pressure over a general area. The movement component is central to how ART works and distinguishes it from massage techniques that rely solely on static pressure.
How many sessions will I need?
The number of sessions depends on the nature and duration of the condition being treated. Acute injuries or recently developed restrictions may respond more quickly than long-standing patterns that have built up over months or years. Your practitioner will give you a reasonable estimate after the initial evaluation, and that estimate can be updated as treatment progresses. Some patients notice meaningful improvement within three to five sessions, while others with more complex presentations may benefit from a longer course of care.
Is ART covered by insurance?
Coverage varies by insurance plan. Burghealth Physical Medicine can help clarify whether your plan covers the services provided during an ART-inclusive visit. It is worth contacting your insurance provider in advance to ask about your specific benefits for manual therapy and physical medicine services. The practice can provide documentation of services rendered to support your insurance inquiry.
To learn more about Active Release Technique at Burghealth Physical Medicine, or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Sam Richards, call (727) 289-9148. Burghealth Physical Medicine serves patients throughout St. Petersburg, Tampa Bay, and the surrounding communities. If soft tissue pain or restricted movement has been limiting what you can do, an ART evaluation may help identify what is holding things back.