Chronic muscle tightness is one of the most common complaints we see at ActiveMend Chiropractic & Rehabilitation. People often describe it as a constant “knot,” a band of tension that won’t loosen up, or a deep tightness that returns even after stretching or massage.
For many patients, the true underlying cause is scar tissue and adhesions — and one of the most effective ways to address it is Active Release Technique® (ART®).
Let’s break down what scar tissue actually is, why it forms, and how ART® helps restore normal movement and lasting relief.
What Is Scar Tissue and Why Does It Form?
Scar tissue isn’t just what you see on the skin after an injury.
Inside the body, scar tissue can develop in muscles, fascia, tendons, and ligaments.
It typically forms because of:
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Overuse (repetitive motions at work, sports, or daily activities)
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Poor posture
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Previous injuries
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Sitting too long
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Micro-tears from training
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Surgery or trauma
When tissues are stressed, your body tries to protect and “patch” the area.
The problem?
Scar tissue forms in a haphazard, sticky, unorganized way — not like healthy muscle fibers that run smoothly and parallel.
This leads to:
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Tightness
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Stiffness
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Pain
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Limited range of motion
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Nerve irritation
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Weakness
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Compensation patterns
And because the scar tissue embeds into the surrounding soft tissue, stretching alone often isn’t enough.
What Is Active Release Technique® (ART®)?
ART® is a hands-on, movement-based soft tissue treatment that targets scar tissue and adhesions directly.
During ART®, the provider:
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Locates the exact area of tension or adhesion
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Applies precise pressure with their hands
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Guides the patient through specific movements
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Stretches the tissue under tension to break up restrictions
It’s one of the most effective techniques for muscles that feel “stuck,” “rope-like,” or constantly tight.
How ART® Breaks Down Scar Tissue
Here’s what makes ART® different from traditional massage or stretching:
1. It Targets the Exact Adhesion
ART® practitioners are trained to feel individual layers of muscle and pinpoint where the restriction actually is.
2. It Separates Stuck Tissue Layers
Scar tissue binds tissues together.
ART® restores normal glide between:
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Muscle and fascia
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Tendon and muscle
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Nerve and surrounding tissue
This creates immediate changes in movement and tension.
3. It Restores Normal Muscle Function
Once adhesions are broken down, the muscle can contract and stretch properly again — leading to better strength and performance.
4. It Reduces Nerve Entrapment
Some patients experience tingling, burning, or shooting pain because nerves get stuck in scarred tissue. ART® frees the nerve so it can move normally.
5. It Provides Long-Lasting Relief
Because ART® treats the root cause (the adhesion), results last far longer than temporary treatments like basic stretching.
Conditions ART® Works Especially Well For
At ActiveMend, we use ART® for a wide range of soft tissue conditions, including:
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Chronic neck tightness
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Low back stiffness
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Piriformis syndrome
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Shin splints
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IT band syndrome
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Plantar fasciitis
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Shoulder impingement
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Tennis/golfer’s elbow
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Post-injury scar tissue
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Carpal tunnel–type symptoms
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Hip flexor tightness
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Postural tension from sitting
If it feels tight, restricted, or irritated, ART® can usually help.
Why Chronic Tightness Keeps Coming Back Without ART®
If scar tissue is the cause, you can stretch every day and still never get relief.
Why?
Because you can’t stretch scar tissue — it needs to be broken down manually and retrained.
That’s why people often say:
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“I stretch, but it just gets tight again.”
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“Massage helps, but only for a day or two.”
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“I foam roll, but the knot never goes away.”
The underlying adhesion must be addressed.
ART® + Chiropractic + Rehab = The Most Effective Approach
At ActiveMend, ART® is part of a larger system of care that includes:
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Chiropractic adjustments to restore joint motion
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ART® to break up scar tissue
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Rehabilitation exercises to reinforce proper movement
This combination gives you:
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Faster relief
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Longer-lasting results
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Better mobility
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A stronger, healthier movement pattern
When to Consider ART®
ART® may be right for you if you’re dealing with:
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A tight muscle that never loosens
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Pain that comes from movement or posture
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A previous injury that still “flares up”
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Repetitive motion soreness
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Numbness or tingling from nerve irritation
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Limited flexibility or mobility
Even long-standing issues often respond extremely well.
Ready to Break Up Scar Tissue and Move Better?
If you’re tired of chronic tightness or feeling like your muscles won’t relax, ART® could be the missing piece.
Call ActiveMend Chiropractic & Rehabilitation at 234-294-0174 or schedule online to get started.
Our team specializes in combining ART®, chiropractic care, and rehab to help you move and feel your best.
