Athletes and active adults place repeated stress on muscles, tendons, ligaments, and nerves. Over time, this stress can lead to pain, restricted movement, and reduced performance. One approach commonly used in sports therapy in Newport Beach is Active Release Technique, often referred to as ART. At Performance Health and Wellness, this method focuses on identifying and treating soft tissue restrictions that contribute to pain and dysfunction.
This article explores common sports injuries treated with Active Release Technique in Newport Beach, explains how ART works, and outlines how it is often integrated with movement-based care and sports medicine principles at Performance Health and Wellness. The goal is to provide clear, educational information for individuals seeking a better understanding of muscle injury therapy and soft tissue care.
What Is Active Release Technique?
Active Release Technique is a hands on soft tissue therapy used to evaluate and treat problems in muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia and nerves. It is based on the idea that repetitive motion, overuse and trauma can cause adhesions or scar tissue to form within soft tissues. These adhesions may limit movement, alter biomechanics and contribute to pain.
An ART chiropractor in Newport Beach typically applies precise manual pressure to affected tissues while guiding the patient through specific movements. This active component helps restore normal tissue glide, improve circulation and reduce tension.
Key Principles of Active Release Technique
- Focuses on soft tissue rather than joints alone
- Uses patient movement during treatment
- Targets the source of restriction instead of symptoms only
- Commonly used for sports related and repetitive strain injuries
Active Release Technique is often part of a broader sports therapy approach that includes movement assessment, corrective exercises and load management.
Why Athletes and Active Adults Experience Soft Tissue Injuries
Sports injuries are not limited to contact events or sudden trauma. Many develop gradually due to repetitive motion, improper mechanics or insufficient recovery time. Common contributing factors include:
- High training volume or intensity
- Limited mobility or flexibility
- Muscle imbalances
- Poor movement patterns
- Previous injury history
Muscle injury therapy in Newport Beach frequently addresses these factors by focusing on both tissue health and functional movement.
Common Sports Injuries Treated With Active Release Technique
Active Release Technique is used to address a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions. Below are some of the most common sports injuries treated with ART.
Shoulder Injuries
The shoulder is a complex joint that relies heavily on soft tissue support. Overhead sports such as swimming, tennis, and baseball often place repeated stress on shoulder muscles and tendons, making proper evaluation and treatment in sports medicine in Newport Beach essential for injury prevention, performance optimization, and long-term joint health.
Common shoulder conditions treated with ART
- Rotator cuff strain or tendinopathy
- Shoulder impingement
- Biceps tendinitis
- Labral related muscular compensation
ART targets tight or overactive muscles around the shoulder blade and upper arm that may restrict movement or alter joint mechanics.
Elbow and Forearm Injuries
Repetitive gripping and wrist movements can lead to elbow and forearm pain, especially in sports such as golf, tennis and weight training.
Common elbow conditions
- Lateral epicondylitis or tennis elbow
- Medial epicondylitis or golfer’s elbow
- Forearm muscle strain
A soft tissue chiropractor in Newport Beach may use ART to release tension in the forearm muscles and address nerve irritation contributing to pain.
Hip and Groin Injuries
Hip mobility and strength are essential for running, jumping and rotational sports. Restrictions in hip muscles can lead to groin pain, hip discomfort and compensatory injuries elsewhere.
Common hip related injuries
- Hip flexor strain
- Adductor or groin strain
- Piriformis related pain
- Snapping hip syndrome
Active Release Technique focuses on restoring normal movement between muscle layers and reducing excessive tone in overworked tissues.
Knee Injuries
Many knee injuries are influenced by soft tissue dysfunction above or below the joint. ART is often used alongside movement assessment to address these contributing factors.
Common knee conditions treated with ART
- Patellar tendinopathy
- Iliotibial band syndrome
- Quadriceps or hamstring strain
- General anterior knee pain
By addressing restrictions in surrounding muscles, sports therapy in Newport Beach aims to improve knee tracking and load distribution.
Lower Leg and Achilles Injuries
Running and jumping sports place significant demands on the calf muscles and Achilles tendon. Overuse can result in stiffness, pain and reduced performance.
Common lower leg injuries
- Achilles tendinopathy
- Calf muscle strain
- Shin splints or medial tibial stress syndrome
Active Release Technique helps improve tissue mobility and circulation, which may support recovery when combined with proper loading strategies.
Foot and Ankle Injuries
Foot and ankle mechanics influence the entire kinetic chain. Restrictions in these areas may affect gait and increase injury risk.
Common foot and ankle conditions
- Plantar fasciitis
- Ankle sprains with lingering stiffness
- Peroneal tendon irritation
Muscle injury therapy in Newport Beach often includes ART to address soft tissue limitations that affect balance and propulsion.
How Active Release Technique Is Integrated With Sports Therapy
Active Release Technique is rarely used in isolation. Many practitioners integrate it into a broader sports medicine and movement based framework.
Movement Assessment
Before or alongside ART, a movement assessment helps identify faulty patterns such as limited hip extension, poor core stability or asymmetrical loading. Treating soft tissue without addressing movement can lead to recurring symptoms.
Corrective Exercises
After ART sessions, specific exercises are often prescribed to reinforce improved mobility and restore strength. This may include:
- Mobility drills
- Stability exercises
- Sport specific movement retraining
Load Management and Recovery
ART may support recovery, but long term progress also depends on managing training volume and intensity. Education around recovery strategies is a key component of sports therapy in Newport Beach.
Benefits of Active Release Technique for Sports Injuries
While individual outcomes vary, ART is commonly used because it addresses specific soft tissue restrictions that may not respond to other approaches alone.
Potential benefits include
- Improved range of motion
- Reduced muscle tension
- Enhanced tissue flexibility
- Better movement efficiency
An ART chiropractor in Newport Beach may use this technique as part of a comprehensive plan tailored to the demands of each sport.
Conditions Commonly Addressed With ART
The table below summarizes common injuries and how ART is typically applied.
| Injury Type | Affected Area | How ART Is Used |
| Rotator cuff strain | Shoulder | Releases tight shoulder and scapular muscles |
| Tennis elbow | Elbow | Targets forearm muscle adhesions |
| Hip flexor strain | Hip | Restores hip extension and muscle glide |
| IT band syndrome | Knee | Reduces tension in lateral thigh tissues |
| Achilles tendinopathy | Ankle | Improves calf and tendon mobility |
| Plantar fasciitis | Foot | Addresses plantar fascia and calf restrictions |
Conclusion
Active Release Technique plays a valuable role in addressing common sports injuries by focusing on soft tissue health and movement quality. For athletes and active adults in Newport Beach, ART is often integrated with sports therapy, movement assessment and muscle injury therapy to support recovery and performance.
Understanding how ART works and which injuries it commonly addresses can help individuals make informed decisions about their care. When combined with appropriate exercise and load management, this approach supports long term musculoskeletal health rather than temporary symptom relief. To learn whether Active Release Technique is appropriate for your injury or performance goals, contact us to schedule a consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What types of injuries respond best to Active Release Technique?
ART is commonly used for overuse and repetitive strain injuries involving muscles, tendons and fascia. Acute injuries may require modified approaches or additional care.
Q2. Is Active Release Technique painful?
Some discomfort may be felt during treatment, especially in restricted areas. However, it is generally well tolerated and adjusted based on patient feedback.
Q3. How many ART sessions are typically needed?
The number of sessions varies depending on the injury, severity and activity level. Some individuals notice improvement quickly, while others require a longer course of care.
Q4. Can ART be combined with other therapies?
Yes. Active Release Technique is often combined with corrective exercise, joint mobilization and sports therapy in Newport Beach to address both tissue and movement factors.
Q5. Is ART only for athletes?
No. While commonly used for sports injuries, ART may also be appropriate for individuals with work related or lifestyle related soft tissue conditions.