Active Release Techniques — When Tight Tissue Won’t Let Go
Dealing with a nagging strain, a repetitive-use injury, or stiffness that just won’t loosen up no matter how much you stretch? Some soft-tissue problems don’t respond to the usual approaches — and that’s exactly where Active Release Techniques comes in.
ART is a patented, hands-on soft-tissue technique for treating problems with muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia, and nerves. After an injury — or from repetitive strain over time — these tissues can thicken and tighten, reducing circulation, limiting range of motion, and throwing off the way you move. Once that happens, ordinary stretching often isn’t enough, and the area stays tender and restricted. ART works to quickly restore function to the affected area, and it’s producing extraordinary functional outcomes for our patients.
Our Services
Every ART session is really two things at once: an examination and a treatment. Your ART-trained provider uses their hands to evaluate the texture, tightness, and movement of your muscles, fascia, tendons, ligaments, and nerves — then treats the abnormal tissue by combining precisely directed tension with very specific, guided movements.
These protocols — over 500 specific moves — are unique to ART. They let your provider pinpoint and correct the exact problem affecting you. This isn’t a cookie-cutter approach; it’s targeted, individualized care built around what your body actually needs.
ART may be a good fit if you’re dealing with:
- Plantar fasciitis
- Back pain
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Shin splints
- Shoulder pain
- Sciatica
- Tennis elbow
- Knee pain
Treatment may include:
- Hands-on tissue assessment — Your provider evaluates the texture, tension, and movement of the affected area to find the true source of the problem.
- Targeted soft-tissue release — Precisely directed pressure combined with guided movement to break up adhesions and restore healthy motion.
- Movement retraining — Guided, specific movements that help the treated tissue glide and function the way it’s supposed to.
- Restoring range of motion — Freeing up restricted areas so you can move fully and comfortably again.
- Return-to-activity support — Getting you back to training, work, and daily life without the pain that’s been holding you back.
A note on pairing: ART is often one piece of a larger plan — especially for people dealing with chronic or persistent pain that hasn’t let up with rest or time. By releasing tight muscles and freeing restricted movement, ART can help calm the soft-tissue tension that feeds ongoing pain. Your therapist may also pair it with Astym Therapy or other hands-on approaches, depending on what your body responds to best.
Your ART Provider
Hayden McDevitt, DPT, OCS, CSCS | Physical Therapist — Certified ART Provider | Lititz Office
Hayden is a physical therapist and certified Active Release Techniques provider, and he leads ART care here at HARTZ PT. As a board-certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), he brings a deep understanding of how muscles, tendons, and movement work together — making him especially well-suited to the precise, hands-on nature of ART.
Hayden is passionate about helping patients get to the true source of their pain rather than just chasing symptoms. Whether you’re an athlete pushing through a repetitive-strain injury or someone dealing with stubborn stiffness that won’t loosen up, he builds a targeted, individualized plan to restore your movement and get you back to what you love — pain-free. Just ask Doug, who ran his Ironman on a pain-free race day after ART treatment with Hayden.
Hayden sees ART patients at our Lititz office. Have questions or want to see if ART is right for you? Reach out to Hayden directly at hsmcdevitt@hartzpt.com or request a free consultation at 717.625.2228.
What our Patients Say
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
For more information, please email us or visit www.activerelease.com