Active Release Technique^® (ART)

Regular Price: $190.00
Member Price: $150.00

The Gold Standard in soft tissue treatment and pain management. Our ART specialist uses hands-on movement-based techniques to address chronic and acute pain conditions, reduce pain, and improve range of motion.

At Precision Clinical Bodywork in Mechanicsville, serving the Richmond area, Active Release Technique (ART) is for clients who need more than a broad massage session. When pain shows up with a specific movement, when tissue feels bound down, or when the same issue keeps returning after short-term relief, ART is often the better starting point.

People often reach this page while searching for Active Release Technique in Richmond, ART massage near Richmond, or a soft-tissue specialist in Mechanicsville. If you are comparing by location first, see Massage in Mechanicsville, VA and Massage in Richmond, VA. If your main issue is movement-linked pain, this ART page is the more specific service fit.

Who is ART best for?

Runners dealing with recurring calf, hamstring, Achilles, or hip restrictions
Lifters and active adults whose shoulder, forearm, or back pain shows up with specific movements
Clients who have tried general massage but still feel like the tissue keeps tightening back up
People who want treatment that is specific, movement-based, and goal oriented
Clients in repetitive-stress jobs who want help recovering from or preventing work-related soft-tissue strain

What makes ART different from regular massage?

ART combines precise hands-on pressure with guided movement. Instead of only relaxing an area, the goal is to help restricted tissue glide better, tolerate movement more normally, and stop pulling the body back into the same compensation pattern.

That is why ART is often chosen when the issue is tied to a movement, not just a general feeling of tension. It is especially useful when you can point to an exact motion that hurts, feels blocked, or loses power.

Common reasons clients book ART

Pain with running stride changes, uphill work, lifting mechanics, or repetitive work tasks
Range-of-motion limits that affect training or day-to-day function
Soft-tissue restrictions that keep returning even after temporary relief
Repetitive stress from job performance that is contributing to pain or body fatigue
Return-to-activity phases where precise treatment matters more than general recovery work

What should you expect in an ART session?

ART sessions are usually more specific than a general massage appointment. The treatment often targets one or two high-priority problem areas, and it may involve moving the tissue through a range while pressure is applied. The goal is to make the work useful, not random. That means the session is built around your symptoms, your movement pattern, and what you are trying to get back to doing.

Who should you book with?

Roberta DiPasquale, LMT is the clearest ART-specific provider represented in the current team bios. If you want to compare options before booking, review the full team page.

How does ART compare to other options?

If your goal is broader recovery work around training load, start with Sports Massage. If you want ongoing baseline bodywork to stay ahead of flare-ups, Maintenance Massage is usually the simpler fit. If long-term progress depends on strength and movement change, pair treatment with Personal Training.

Frequently asked questions

Is ART the same as deep tissue massage?
No. ART is more movement-specific. It uses precise contact and guided movement to address restricted soft tissue, while deep tissue massage is usually broader pressure-based work.

When is ART a better fit than Sports Massage?
ART is usually the better first choice when one movement keeps triggering the same issue, such as a running stride, lift, reach, grip, or repetitive work task.

Can ART replace medical care?
No. ART is hands-on soft-tissue care. If pain is severe, progressive, neurological, or linked to a suspected injury, get appropriate medical evaluation before relying on bodywork.

Want to learn more before you book? Our articles on Achilles pain in runners and calf strains in runners are a good place to start.

If you are booking as a non-member, you may not have visited the practice within the previous six months. Ready to get more specific with treatment? Book your ART session.