Breaking Through Knee Pain: How Active Release Technique® Can Help

Knee pain is one of the most common complaints among executives, athletes, and busy professionals across the Bay Area. Whether it’s from long hours at a desk, intense training sessions, or simply the wear and tear of daily life, pain in the knee can make even simple movements uncomfortable.

At RouteHealth, I specialize in concierge chiropractic care and Active Release Technique® (ART) to help address the soft-tissue restrictions that often underlie chronic or recurrent knee pain.

Why Soft Tissues Play a Big Role in Knee Pain

Muscles, fascia, and tendons surrounding the knee are meant to glide smoothly with each step. But when they develop adhesions—tight, bound-up tissue from overuse, injury, or compensation—they can:

• Restrict range of motion

• Alter patellar tracking

• Increase joint stress

• Create compensations that worsen pain

Research has shown that manual therapy directed at the soft tissues around the knee can reduce pain and improve function in conditions such as patellofemoral pain syndrome【jospt.org†source】.

What the Research Says About Active Release Technique®

ART is a hands-on technique that combines precise tension with patient movement to release adhesions and restore tissue mobility. Evidence for ART in musculoskeletal pain is growing:

• Kim et al. (2015): ART significantly improved pain and range of motion compared to joint mobilization in patients with musculoskeletal pain【pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov†source】

• Manual Therapy + Exercise: Studies show better outcomes when soft-tissue release is combined with strengthening, especially for anterior knee pain【sciencedirect.com†source】

How ART® Fits Into Knee Rehabilitation

In my practice, ART® is rarely a “quick fix.” Instead, it’s integrated into a broader plan:

Phase	Focus	ART Role	Complementary Work
Release	Freeing restricted tissues (quads, IT band, calves, adductors)	Breaks adhesions, restores glide	Joint mobilization, fascia scanning
Strength	Re-educating control & stability	Allows better recruitment after release	Targeted strengthening (glutes, quads, hips)
Integration	Functional return to activity	Reinforces new mobility	Squats, lunges, gait retraining
Maintenance	Preventing recurrence	ART tune-ups	Mobility & self-care routines

Practical Example

One patient, a recreational cyclist, struggled with knee pain for over 6 months. After just two sessions with me where we used ART® targeting his quads, calfs, and feet, he noticed less stiffness, smoother squats, and reduced pain while cycling. Over eight weeks, his mobility and performance improved enough to return to pain-free riding.

Is ART® Right for You?

Active Release Technique® is especially helpful if your knee pain:

• Feels tight, “stuck,” or restricted

• Gets worse with sitting, squatting, or running

• Has not improved with strengthening alone

• Comes with recurring soreness despite rest

While ART® isn’t a cure-all, paired with targeted rehab and concierge care, it often accelerates recovery and keeps professionals moving at their best.

Schedule a Concierge Appointment in the Bay Area

If knee pain is slowing you down, RouteHealth offers private office or in-home rehabilitation chiropractic care throughout Sunnyvale, Palo Alto, Menlo Park, San Francisco, and the Bay Area peninsula.

👉 Book your session online today and experience how Active Release Technique® can restore mobility, reduce pain, and help you perform at your peak.

Dr. Rhiannon

Founder of RouteHealth