ART® Active Release Technique

ART® (Active Release Technique) is a patented, evidence-informed soft-tissue treatment developed in the USA and used by professional sports teams worldwide. At Physio Clinic Suchánek it is delivered exclusively by Bc. Jakub Suchánek — the clinic's owner and sole certified ART® practitioner. The method combines precise manual contact on the affected tissue with an active patient movement — the combination creates a mechanical shear across scar tissue, adhesions, and nerve restrictions that passive techniques cannot replicate, restoring full tension-free function to the muscle, tendon, or nerve.

Active Release Technique (ART®) is a hands-on soft-tissue method that has become a standard of care for sports injuries and repetitive-strain conditions at elite level. Unlike passive massage, ART® requires the patient to actively move the treated limb or body segment while the therapist applies precise, directional manual contact on the target tissue — creating a therapeutic shear force that breaks down fibrous adhesions and restores normal gliding between tissue layers. At Physio Clinic Suchánek, ART® is performed exclusively by Bc. Jakub Suchánek, who holds official ART® certification — a structured examination-based credential requiring both theoretical knowledge of anatomy and demonstrated hands-on competency assessed by an ART® examiner. Not all physiotherapists are ART® certified, which is why this service is available only with the clinic's founder. The session begins with the same structured assessment used across the clinic: history, movement analysis, and palpation to localise the dysfunctional tissue. The therapist then identifies the specific adhesion pattern — a common example is the biceps brachii entrapping the musculocutaneous nerve after repetitive overhead loading, producing forearm numbness and grip weakness alongside shoulder pain. Treatment applies a series of active movements while the therapist maintains precise manual pressure on the adhesion. Patients typically feel significant pressure during the contact, followed by an immediate improvement in range of motion or a reduction in referred symptoms as the session progresses. It is not unusual to experience local bruising after the first one or two sessions as adhesions break down — this resolves quickly and is considered part of the treatment process. Conditions responding well to ART® include chronic tendinopathies (Achilles, patellar, rotator cuff), plantar fasciitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, IT band syndrome, piriformis syndrome, nerve entrapment conditions, post-surgical adhesions, and the soft-tissue sequelae of sports injuries. Expected outcomes: significant improvement in range of motion and reduction in localised pain is common within 3–5 sessions for many presentations. The 10-session pack provides a full course for complex or chronic conditions. Preparation: wear or bring shorts for lower limb conditions, and a sleeveless top for upper limb and shoulder work. Mild soreness in the 24 hours after the first session is normal.