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.
“After being in a car accident in December, I received a mailer from Dr. Plaster at Eagle Trace Chiropractic. I’d never sought chiropractic care after an accident before, but something told me to schedule an evaluation—and I’m so glad I did.
One of the things that immediately stood out was how thorough the initial appointment was. They took X-rays, and Dr. Plaster reviewed them with me right then and there. He explained exactly what he was seeing, where the problem areas were, and how they were contributing to the pain I had been living with—all in a way that was easy to understand without ever feeling overwhelming. His knowledge is incredibly impressive, but what really sets him apart is his ability to connect with people. You can tell he genuinely cares about every patient, and the fact that he’s learned multiple languages to better serve his community speaks volumes about the kind of person he is.
Since starting care at Eagle Trace, my body has done a complete 180. The chronic pain and tension in my neck and shoulders have improved more than I ever thought possible. I move better, I hurt less, and I honestly feel like I have a much better quality of life. It’s opened a door I didn’t even know existed.
My treatment plan was thoughtfully designed around my specific injuries and included adjustments, the rolling table, neck and lower back decompression, massage therapy, and SoftWave therapy. Every part of my care felt intentional, and every member of the team played an important role in my recovery.
The massage therapists are phenomenal, and the front desk staff are truly the heart of the office. They’re the same wonderful people who help with decompression treatments, and they’re always kind, welcoming, attentive, and encouraging. Every visit feels personal because they genuinely care about how you’re doing. They also went above and beyond to help me navigate my auto insurance claim, making sure I understood my coverage and handling so much of the process. They even offered to connect me with an attorney if I ran into issues with insurance. Knowing they were advocating for me took so much stress off my shoulders. They also have very reasonable self-pay rates, making exceptional care accessible.
I walked into Eagle Trace unsure whether chiropractic care would really make a difference for me. Today, I’m a firm believer because of the life-changing care I’ve received from Dr. Plaster and his incredible team. If you’ve been in a car accident—or you’re simply living with chronic pain—I cannot recommend Eagle Trace Chiropractic highly enough.”
ABAnna BatzVerified review · Google”
“Very nice facilities, the girls in front excellent, they really are. Dr Jeff Plaster, great guy, polite, and very professional and very thorough, he will explain every thing to you. then he will crack your back and neck , he has a good touch. and you will start to feel good. then you go to the rollers. Love them . the rollers really complete the experience. love them. All in all , its a good experience to get your adjustment for the back . I would say
it's a 5 star experience. Thank you All.”
GCGregory ClearyVerified review · Google”
“It was a wonderful experience! Highly recommend, I will definitely be back…”
