Active Release Technique

This is a gold standard treatment to break down scar tissue in muscle, tendons, and ligaments. This is used during in clinic appointments. There are over 500 customized protocols to target each individual soft tissue structure in the body.

What is Active Release Technique?

Active release technique is used to break down scar tissue in soft tissue structures such as muscles, tendons, ligaments, and nerves.  Scar tissue can develop during an acute injury or through repetitive stress and overuse.  Scar tissue leads to tension and stiffness in muscles, restricts mobility, and causes pain.  Your physiotherapist will identify these adhesions in soft tissues by feeling for abnormal tissue texture.  Active release technique involves applying manual tension along the scar tissue and then moving the tissue from a shortened position to a fully lengthened position to break down the area of adhesion.

The purpose of active release therapy is to:

  • Restore joint range of motion and relieve pain
  • Release entrapped nerves, blood vessels, and veins
  • Restore optimal soft tissue texture, resilience, and function
Active release technique is used to break down scar tissue in soft tissue structures such as muscles, tendons, ligaments, and nerves

What is an Active Release Treatment like?

Your physiotherapist will treat the abnormal tissue by combining precisely directed tension with very specific patient movements. There are specific active release protocols designed to treat each individual muscle, ligament, and nerve in the body. There is over 500 treatment protocols! Rehabilitative exercises are then prescribed to stretch and strengthen the treated tissue to restore optimal function. A personalized active release and exercise program will be designed to help you reach your goals as fast as possible.

Active release therapy is a technique used to break down scar tissue in soft tissue structures such as muscles, tendons, ligaments, and nerves.

What conditions can be treated with
Active Release Therapy?

Toronto is a busy city and whether your injury is from the office, or the gym active release therapy is the right treatment for you. Active release technique is effective at treating everything from postural dysfunctions such as chronic neck and back pain to sports injuries. Active release therapy can treat:

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  • Neck: thoracic outlet syndrome, whiplash, headaches/migraines, spinal stenosis
  • Shoulder: impingement syndrome, rotator cuff injury, biceps tendonitis, shoulder separation
  • Elbow: tennis or golfer’s elbow
  • Hand and Wrist: carpel tunnel syndrome, trigger finger
  • Back: disc herniation, sciatica, mechanical back pain, degenerative disc disease, SI joint dysfunction
  • Hip: piriformis syndrome, hamstring tendinopathy, hip osteoarthritis, labral tears
  • Knee: ITB syndrome, patella femoral pain syndrome, meniscus tear, knee osteoarthritis
  • Ankle: ankle sprain, Achilles tendonitis, shin splints
  • Foot: bunions, Morton’s neuroma

Book an appointment with us!

Rebuild physiotherapy is conveniently located in Toronto’s South Financial District with PATH accessibility.

“I had a bad knee injury after flying off my bike. But was in the middle of training for a marathon. Eric helped me with knee strength building activities to help me recover nicely in time to run!”

– Elaine Yao 

“Eric identified my problem as being due to shoulder impingement…Eric was able to determine what the issue was as well as isolate the specific movements that were triggering the problem. With this knowledge, he provided me with some physio exercises to strengthen the muscles around my deltoids and alleviate the problem.”

– Ice P 

“I went to Eric to relieve me from a frozen shoulder shoulder pain. Eric was quick to point out the problem after the first session and designed a treatment plan based on it. The sessions were really effective and I felt a difference in my shoulder within a week.”

– Bianca P 

“I went to see Eric following a foot injury, and am extremely satisfied with the treatment I received. Right from the first session, he was able to quickly pinpoint the issue and provide me with a plan of action and exercises to address it.”

– Lucas Hawath 

“I came to Eric for wrist pain that I experienced from a sport injury and his care was nothing short of amazing. Eric took the time to understand my personal recovery goals and devised a simple and easy plan for me to reach them.”

– Matthew L. 

“Eric’s knowledge and expertise in physiotherapy were evident from the start. He took the time to thoroughly assess my condition, asking insightful questions and actively listening to my concerns. I am very satisfied with my neck treatment. Highly recommend!”

– Edra Kalemi 

“Eric was an absolute professional. He took time to understand the issue with my shoulder and help with a recovery plan. He was very considerate in building the recovery plan with our lifestyle in mind.”

– Abbhilash M. 

“I came to Eric with a torn quad from soccer and was really worried about how long it would take to rehab. Eric gave a very thorough assessment , paid great attention to detail re. my physical activities and sports. He set me up on a rehab plan that enabled me back to my activities in a relatively short time.”

– Lindsey Craig 

“Eric is a true professional who cares about this patients and offers amazing treatment. Unlike many physios he is completely hands on with his clients, uses electro acupuncture and massage techniques to help alleviate pain speed up recovery.”

– Aizaz Alam 

“Eric was very detailed in his process of understanding of my issue and injury before laying out a clear plan to fix it. I loved that from day one I knew how long it would take and exactly what we would be doing to fix the injury. Worked out exactly like he said it would. Definitely recommend him!”

– Muz B. 
Toronto, ON
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