Shoulder Pain Slowing You Down?

How Active Release Technique (ART) Can Help Rotator Cuff Injuries Heal Faster and Move Better

Whether you’re a throwing athlete, a weekend weightlifter, or someone who just wants to reach overhead without pain, shoulder injuries can be incredibly frustrating—and surprisingly common.


One of the most frequent culprits? Rotator cuff dysfunction.


But you don’t have to rely solely on rest, pain meds, or risky injections. Active Release Technique (ART) is a powerful, hands-on treatment approach that’s helping athletes and active people get back to full strength—without surgery or long-term downtime.

What Is the Rotator Cuff, and Why Does It Hurt?

The rotator cuff is a group of four small muscles and their tendons that surround the shoulder joint:

  • Supraspinatus
  • Infraspinatus
  • Teres minor
  • Subscapularis

Together, they stabilize the shoulder and allow for controlled movement during lifting, throwing, or reaching.

Common issues include:

  • Tendonitis: Inflammation due to overuse
  • Tears: Partial or full-thickness from trauma or degeneration
  • Impingement: When the tendons get compressed under the shoulder blade
  • Tight capsule or surrounding musculature limiting mobility

Common Signs of Rotator Cuff Dysfunction:

  • Dull ache deep in the shoulder
  • Pain with reaching overhead or behind the back
  • Weakness or clicking with arm movement
  • Difficulty sleeping on the affected side
  • Decreased range of motion

Why Traditional Approaches Fall Short

Conventional care often includes:

  • Ice, rest, and NSAIDs
  • Cortisone shots
  • Physical therapy
  • In some cases, surgery

While these may reduce symptoms, they often don’t address the root cause—the tight, restricted, and dysfunctional soft tissue surrounding the shoulder.
This is where Active Release Technique comes in.

What Is Active Release Technique (ART)?

ART is a hands-on treatment that identifies and breaks up scar tissue and adhesions in muscles, fascia, and surrounding tissues. A certified ART provider uses precise tension and guided movement to restore healthy function to overused or injured areas. For rotator cuff and shoulder pain, ART typically focuses on:

  • Rotator cuff muscles (like supraspinatus and infraspinatus)
  • Surrounding muscles (upper traps, pecs, lats, deltoid)
  • Scapular stabilizers (serratus anterior, rhomboids)
  • Nerve entrapments (such as axillary or suprascapular nerve involvement)

How ART Helps Shoulder Pain and Rotator Cuff Injuries

1. Breaks Down Adhesions and Scar Tissue

Injury or overuse causes the body to lay down scar tissue. Over time, this creates stiffness, weakness, and faulty movement patterns. ART targets and removes these adhesions, restoring:

  • Muscle elasticity
  • Joint mobility
  • Proper biomechanics

2. Reduces Pain at the Source

Instead of just numbing the pain, ART helps remove the mechanical restriction that’s causing the pain—often reducing symptoms in just a few sessions. Many patients report:

  • Improved range of motion
  • Less pain during daily activity
  • Better sleep without shoulder irritation

3. Restores Shoulder Mechanics and Function

Rotator cuff issues rarely happen in isolation. ART allows your practitioner to assess the entire shoulder girdle, upper back, and neck. This helps:

  • Improve scapular rhythm
  • Reduce shoulder impingement
  • Enhance overhead mobility

4. Supports a Strong Return to Sport or Training

Whether you're throwing a baseball or pressing overhead in the gym, shoulder function matters. ART not only helps with recovery—it can enhance strength, control, and mobility, giving you the confidence to train again without fear of re-injury.

5. Prevents Recurrence

By addressing muscular imbalances, posture issues, and movement restrictions, ART plays a major role in long-term injury prevention—especially for people who rely on their shoulders every day, like:

  • Swimmers
  • Tennis players
  • CrossFitters
  • Office workers with postural strain

ART + Smart Rehab = The Best Results

ART works best when combined with:

  • Corrective exercises
  • Mobility work
  • Strength training
  • Movement education

A knowledgeable provider can create a plan that fits your goals and activity level, making sure you not only recover—but thrive.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Just Live With Shoulder Pain

Shoulder pain—especially from rotator cuff issues—can feel limiting, but you don’t have to just push through or settle for temporary fixes.
Active Release Technique gets to the root of the problem so you can:

  • Reduce pain
  • Improve performance
  • Return to your sport, training, or active lifestyle
  • Move freely again