ART is a hands on approach to injuries of the muscles, tendons, fascia, nerves, and the surrounding tissues.  Active Release provides a way to diagnose and treat the underlying causes of a variety of conditions collectively called cumulative trauma disorders.  These disorders are also known as repetitive stress injuries or “overuse” syndromes.  Symptoms are sensations of tingling, burning, aching, and weakness.
When a muscle or surrounding tissue is damaged from trauma or overuse, the body will attempt to repair the damage with adhesions or scar tissue.  Scar tissue is weaker, less elastic, less functional, and more sensitive than healthy tissue.  These adhesions can also disrupt the normal function and biomechanics of the adjacent joints contributing to a cumulative injury cycle which can result in progressive loss of function and increased pain.
ART is applied by hand using a specific pressure and tension on the muscle involved while moving the muscle underneath the contact from a shortened to elongated position.  This softens and stretches the scar tissue, resulting in increased range of motion, increased strength, and improved circulation which optimizes healing. 
The treatments can be a bit uncomfortable but this pain is an important indicator that the problem has been located and adhesions are being released.  Patients most often report that it it feel like a “good pain”.