Active Release Technique (ART) in Burnsville, MN — hands-on soft-tissue therapy that frees adhesions in muscles and tendons to resolve overuse and strain injuries.
Eagle Trace Spine & Sport
Active Release Technique in Burnsville
Active Release Technique (ART) is a patented, hands-on soft-tissue method that targets the adhesions and scar tissue that build up in muscles, tendons, and nerves after overuse, repetitive strain, or an old injury. Dr. Jeff Plaster uses ART to resolve the tightness, weakness, and nerve symptoms that other therapies often miss — getting Burnsville athletes, desk workers, and everyone in between back to full, pain-free movement faster.
We use orthopedic and movement testing to locate the exact muscle, tendon, or nerve that has lost normal glide — not just the site of pain, which is often one step away from the true source.
Step 2
Apply ART treatment
Directed manual contact is placed on the affected tissue while you actively move through a prescribed range of motion, stretching the adhesion apart and teaching the tissue to glide freely again.
Step 3
Restore full movement
We combine ART with any needed adjustments or rehab exercises so the results hold — normal mechanics, full strength, and no compensations that would create a new problem elsewhere.
Why patients choose it
Benefits of active release technique
Breaks up adhesions and scar tissue without surgery
Relieves nerve entrapments that cause tingling or weakness
Restores range of motion lost to overuse or old injuries
Especially effective for repetitive-strain conditions
Pairs well with chiropractic adjustments for faster recovery
Suitable for athletes, office workers, and manual-labor patients
The basics
About active release technique
Every time a muscle is over-stressed — whether from a single injury or years of repetitive motion — the body lays down scar tissue and adhesions to protect itself. Over time those adhesions restrict how muscles, tendons, and nerves glide past each other, creating pain, reduced range of motion, and often the nerve compression behind symptoms like carpal tunnel or elbow pain.
ART breaks that cycle by combining precise manual pressure with active patient movement. While the provider holds contact on the affected structure, the patient moves through a specific motion — effectively lengthening the tissue under tension. The controlled stretch tears apart the restricting adhesions and restores normal soft-tissue mechanics, usually faster and more completely than passive stretching or massage alone.
What is Active Release Technique?
Active Release Technique is a patented soft-tissue therapy designed to eliminate the adhesions and scar tissue that accumulate in muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia, and nerves. Unlike massage, which works passively on tissue tension, ART combines precise manual pressure with active movement — you move through a specific range while Dr. Plaster holds contact on the targeted structure. That controlled stretch breaks the adhesion apart at the tissue level, restoring the normal glide that lets muscles and nerves move freely.
ART is especially well-suited for overuse and repetitive-strain injuries because those injuries are fundamentally an adhesion problem — years of repetitive motion lay down cumulative scar tissue that gradually restricts movement, reduces strength, and compresses nerves.
What to expect
Your first ART visit begins with a movement and orthopedic assessment to locate the specific muscle, tendon, or nerve that has lost normal glide — the true source of your symptoms, which may be a step or two away from where you feel the pain. Once we identify the restriction, treatment begins immediately.
Dr. Plaster places a precise, directed contact on the affected structure and asks you to move through a specific, guided motion — for example, slowly extending the wrist while he holds tension on a forearm flexor. You’ll feel a stretching sensation as the adhesion releases. Each movement pattern takes only a few seconds and may be repeated several times per structure.
Sessions typically run 20–30 minutes. Many patients notice improved range of motion and reduced pain the same day, with continued improvement over the following visits.
Who it helps
ART is effective for a wide range of soft-tissue and nerve conditions, particularly those driven by overuse and repetitive stress:
Shoulder pain and rotator cuff strains from throwing, lifting, or overhead work
Elbow pain — tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, and forearm tightness from gripping or computer use
Overuse injuries in runners, cyclists, and athletes across all sports
ART pairs naturally with other services we offer, including myofascial release, trigger point therapy, and massage therapy, for patients who need a more comprehensive soft-tissue approach.
Why choose Eagle Trace Spine & Sport
Patients from Burnsville, Savage, Apple Valley, Eagan, and Lakeville trust us because we find the source of your problem and correct it — not just relieve it for a few days. Dr. Jeff Plaster combines ART with chiropractic adjustments and targeted rehab so the soft tissue, the joint mechanics, and the supporting muscles all move correctly together. That complete approach is why most patients stay better, not just feel better.
Still have questions? Contact us — we're happy to help.
What is Active Release Technique?+
ART is a patented, movement-based soft-tissue therapy. The provider applies precise tension to a muscle, tendon, or nerve while the patient moves through a specific range of motion — breaking up adhesions and scar tissue that restrict normal movement.
Does Active Release Technique hurt?+
Most patients describe a "good hurt" — a strong but tolerable sensation as the adhesion releases. It should never be sharply painful. We adjust pressure to stay within a comfortable range, and most people feel noticeably looser by the end of the visit.
How many ART sessions will I need?+
Many overuse injuries respond within 4–8 visits. After your exam Dr. Plaster gives you a specific, time-bound plan — not open-ended treatment — so you always know what to expect.
What conditions does ART treat?+
ART is most commonly used for carpal tunnel syndrome, tennis and golfer's elbow, shoulder impingement, rotator cuff strains, plantar fasciitis, IT band tightness, and other repetitive-strain and overuse injuries.
Is ART the same as deep-tissue massage?+
No. Massage works on tissue tension through passive pressure; ART adds active patient movement, which specifically targets the adhesions between tissue layers that limit glide. The two therapies complement each other but are not interchangeable.
Can ART help with nerve symptoms like numbness or tingling?+
Yes. ART is highly effective for nerve entrapments — places where scar tissue or adhesions are compressing or tethering a nerve. Carpal tunnel, thoracic outlet, and similar conditions often respond very well.
Is Active Release Technique safe?+
Yes. ART is a well-established, conservative soft-tissue therapy. We screen every patient before beginning care to confirm it is appropriate and adjust technique for each individual.
Will my insurance cover ART?+
Coverage varies by plan. We accept many major insurance carriers and also offer straightforward self-pay options. Share your insurance details when you call and we'll verify your benefits before the visit.
How is ART different from other soft-tissue therapies?+
The combination of precise provider contact and simultaneous active patient movement is what sets ART apart. This active component targets adhesions more specifically than passive therapies — especially for overuse injuries — and tends to produce faster, more durable results.
Who is a good candidate for Active Release Technique?+
Anyone dealing with overuse injuries, repetitive-strain pain, soft-tissue tightness, or nerve entrapments is a candidate. ART works well for athletes, desk workers, tradespeople, and patients recovering from sprains or old injuries that never fully healed.
“The best chiropractor and massage therapist I have ever been to! My mom was suffering from neck and back pain for several months; she got relief in just one visit! Thank you to Dr. Jeff and the massage therapist! The atmosphere is great, the staff is very friendly, and the place is welcoming! Highly recommend! Thank you all!”
SEShewit EqubazgiVerified review · Google”
“Dr. Jeff is the man. Very transparent and professional, and fun to talk to. Whole staff is very friendly and focused, and theyll make you feel at home.”
DWDave WatneVerified review · Google”
“I’m a career firefighter and have suffered from a back injury from the job for the last 8 years. I was sent to a chiropractor years ago after reinjuring my back, initially I felt a little relief from my injury, but it never really went away and after 3 years of going to them I wasn’t getting better. I started to think I was going to spend the rest of my life with some degree of back pain. I stumbled across Dr Jeff at my daughters gymnastics class and we started talking about my injury. He invited me to his practice to see how he could help relive my pain. Within the first week I was feeling better than I had felt in 8 years since my initial back injury, week 2 was continued progress in reducing my pain to almost nothing. The truest test of his great work has been how good I’ve felt after shoveling and snow blowing after these last few storms. Dr Jeff’s multiple disciplines in chiropractic care and ability to customize your treatments to best suit your injury, coupled with his genuine care and concern are Amazing! When you tell him how your feeling from visit to visit he is listening and using your input to to maximize the output of your care. This is Good Ole Fashioned Service, his whole office has a great attitude and do their Best to work with you.”
