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7 ART Benefits for Athletes With Back Pain

Joey Lee Chiropractor Consult Sarah

February 17, 2026

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Westside Sports Chiro

Athletes struggling with persistent back pain often find themselves trapped in a cycle of temporary relief followed by recurring discomfort. Traditional treatment methods may provide short-term solutions, but many fail to address the underlying soft tissue restrictions that perpetuate the problem. Active Release Techniques presents a targeted approach that goes beyond surface-level symptom management. This specialized manual therapy technique offers seven distinct advantages that could fundamentally change how athletes recover from and prevent back injuries.

Accelerated Recovery From Back Injuries Through Targeted Soft Tissue Treatment

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Athletes suffering from back injuries often find themselves trapped in prolonged recovery cycles that keep them sidelined from their sport.

Active Release Techniques offer a targeted approach to soft tissue therapy that addresses the root causes of back pain. This specialized treatment breaks down scar tissue and adhesions that form during the healing process, which commonly restrict movement and perpetuate discomfort.

By promoting increased blood flow to injured areas, ART accelerates the body's natural healing mechanisms. Athletes experience significant improvements in range of motion as tight muscles and fascia are systematically released.

The technique's precision in targeting specific problem areas allows for faster resolution of injuries compared to traditional recovery methods. This targeted soft tissue therapy helps improve flexibility while reducing the inflammatory response that often prolongs athletic recovery periods.

Enhanced Range of Motion and Flexibility for Weekend Athletes

While competitive athletes often receive extensive treatment for back pain, weekend warriors frequently struggle with limited mobility that hampers their recreational pursuits.

Active Release Technique addresses this challenge by systematically breaking down scar tissue and adhesions that restrict movement. Studies demonstrate that approximately 70% of adults with neck pain benefit from ART, suggesting similar effectiveness for back pain relief.

Weekend athletes experience enhanced range of motion through targeted soft tissue treatment, with noticeable flexibility improvements often occurring after just one session. This increased flexibility not only alleviates existing back pain but also helps reduce risk of future injuries by promoting better movement mechanics.

Enhanced mobility allows weekend athletes to improve athletic performance through more efficient and powerful movements during recreational activities.

Reduced Chronic Lower Back Pain Without Medication Dependency

How can athletes escape the cycle of medication dependency while managing chronic lower back pain? Active Release Therapy offers a proven solution by directly addressing the root cause rather than masking symptoms. This effective treatment targets scar tissue and adhesions that develop from soft tissue injuries, providing lasting relief without pharmaceutical intervention.

ART works by breaking up restrictive tissue formations and freeing compressed nerves, allowing the body to heal naturally. The technique can alleviate pain associated with sciatica and muscle strains while helping athletes recover faster from training-related injuries.

Prevention of Future Back Injuries During Athletic Activities

Beyond treating existing pain, Active Release Therapy serves as a powerful preventive measure that helps athletes avoid future back injuries during training and competition.

ART targets scar tissue and adhesions that restrict movement and contribute to muscle tightness, addressing root causes before they lead to strains during athletic activities.

By improving flexibility and range of motion, ART resolves underlying issues that commonly result in pulls and injuries.

Research demonstrates that athletes utilizing ART regularly experience considerably lower back injury rates compared to those without such recovery techniques.

The technique enhances muscle efficiency, promoting better strength and stability in the back.

This improvement reduces injury risk during dynamic movements.

Regular ART sessions help athletes maintain ideal muscle function while addressing tension areas, effectively preventing future injuries related to repetitive stress and overuse patterns.

Improved Blood Flow and Circulation to Injured Back Muscles

Active Release Therapy's injury prevention benefits extend beyond mechanical improvements to include considerable enhancements in blood flow and circulation to injured back muscles.

This effective therapy breaks down scar tissue and adhesions that restrict circulation, creating barriers to natural healing processes. By systematically targeting these restrictions, ART practitioners can release trapped tissues and restore ideal blood flow to damaged areas.

Improved circulation facilitates oxygen and nutrient delivery to injured tissues while removing metabolic waste products that contribute to inflammation and back pain.

Enhanced blood flow creates an ideal healing environment, allowing damaged muscles to recover more efficiently.

Studies demonstrate that increased circulation markedly improves muscle function and flexibility, essential components for athletic recovery.

Through targeted manipulation techniques, ART helps establish normal circulation patterns, reducing chronic back pain likelihood.

Breakdown of Scar Tissue and Adhesions Limiting Movement

Scar tissue and adhesions act as internal barriers that greatly limit an athlete's range of motion and contribute to persistent back pain. These fibrous formations develop from past injuries or repetitive strain, creating restrictions that compromise athletic performance.

Active Release Technique specifically targets these problematic areas through precise pressure combined with controlled muscle movement.

ART practitioners systematically break down adhesions by applying targeted force while the athlete moves through specific ranges of motion. This process restores normal tissue texture and promotes improved circulation to affected back muscles.

The breakdown of scar tissue directly translates to enhanced flexibility and reduced chronic pain.

Athletes experience measurable improvements in movement quality as ART eliminates these internal restrictions. Studies demonstrate that addressing scar tissue formation considerably enhances overall athletic performance by restoring ideal back function.

Faster Return to Athletic Performance With Minimal Downtime

Most athletes face extended recovery periods when dealing with back pain, but Active Release Technique dramatically accelerates the return to competitive performance.

ART treatment targets adhesions and scar tissue that typically prolong recovery from sports injuries, allowing athletes to reduce recovery time considerably. This technique addresses underlying muscle dysfunction and tightness that commonly cause lower back pain, enabling natural healing processes to work more effectively.

Athletes utilizing ART consistently report enhanced mobility and flexibility, which directly translates to improved athletic performance.

By restoring normal muscle function and reducing inflammation, ART helps athletes return to peak condition faster than traditional recovery methods.

Additionally, this thorough approach doesn't just treat current symptoms—it helps prevent future injuries by addressing root causes, ensuring athletes maintain ideal performance levels with minimal downtime.

Conclusion

Active Release Techniques represents a thorough solution for athletes struggling with back pain. Through targeted soft tissue treatment, ART addresses both immediate symptoms and underlying causes of dysfunction. Athletes benefit from accelerated healing, improved mobility, and reduced pain without pharmaceutical intervention. The technique's ability to break down restrictive scar tissue while enhancing circulation creates ideal conditions for recovery. Regular ART sessions enable athletes to maintain peak performance while minimizing future injury risks.

Testimonials

Real Stories, Real
Results

Sarah T.
"I've been struggling with chronic shoulder pain for years, but after just a few sessions at Westside Sports Chiro, I've experienced a dramatic improvement. Their personalised approach and advanced techniques have truly made a difference in my recovery. I couldn't be happier with the results!"
Sarah T.

"I've been struggling with chronic shoulder pain for years, but after just a few sessions at Westside Sports Chiro, I've experienced a dramatic improvement. Their personalized approach and advanced techniques have truly made a difference in my recovery. I couldn't be happier with the results!"
mike li
Great knowledge and experience , Great job Jason!!Definitely will recommend
N “Neens” A
Wow! What an amazing experience! Dr Joey is absolutely brilliant! He was able to diagnose & treat a multitude of issues I have with my neck, back, shoulders & ankle. He was compassionate and understanding with all my concerns and I am forever grateful! There aren’t enough gold stars to show how amazing he is!
DJ NIKCO
I travel 2 hours each way every 2 weeks to see Jason and its worth it! He works with the whole body and is able to give detailed answers to all my questions. My injury was super complex as I have seen many specialists but no one has made any progress but now with jason I continue to see improvement each session! High Recommend.
Ralph
Good vibes as soon as you walk in,professional service,attention to details in adressing issues and providing plenty of explanation and a professional approach to move forward.muchly recommended 👍
Lyle Tacadena
Jason! He knows his stuff! I've had knee pain for months and with one treatment, the pain went from 90% to 10%. Hoping he can work his magic on the rest of the body. Amazing work and THANK YOU!
Shanny Ho
Thankyou Jason for your wealth of knowledge. I saw Jason as a new patient for a chronic issue I have had for quite a few years! It has stopped me from moving as much as I have in the past as the pain associated afterwards was always debilitating: tightness in the hips, pain on pressure on the heel of the foot. Just with the treatment provided in one session it feels better the day after with weight on the heel and my hip feels much more agile. Hopefully with the next couple of appointments I’ll be back to cycling and lifting !
Gordon Holloway
With my experience with Jason great personality very reliable and trustworthy he listens to your problems and I would recommend him to anyone. Thank you.
Ramzy Shublaq
Easily the best of the best in the business. I have been seeing Jason for over a year and he has helped me more than any other health practitioner. I am also a PT and currently refer a lot of my clients in to him, and they have all had glowing reviews and feedback. Thanks Jason ✌🏼
CHUNG-WEI TSAO
Thanks to Jason's treatment, I feel liberated after each session, and he also tells me how I can take care of myself, which is very useful , I wish I could meet him earlier.
Country life “Dragon” In Sydney
Jason is amazing i felt releif from a long time neck shoulder and foot pain from first session , he take his time treating his patients , very professional. i have been with my previous chiropractor for years spend too much money and i didn’t benefit , thank westside clinic for best service and treatment
Steve L
I had the pleasure of visiting Jason this past Saturday, and I must say, it was a fantastic experience. Jason is not only incredibly skilled but also honest and informative. I appreciated how he took the time to explain everything clearly and made sure I understood the treatment plan. What impressed me most was Jason's dedication to his craft and his genuine concern for his patients' well-being. He didn't rush through the session; instead, he took the time to address my concerns and tailor the treatment to my specific needs. I purposely waited more than 24 hours before writing this review to let the effects of the session settle and to give an honest opinion after a workout. I can confidently say that I feel a significant improvement, and I am grateful for Jason's expertise. If you're looking for a chiropractor who combines skill with a caring attitude, I highly recommend Jason. Thank you, Jason, for a truly exceptional experience!
Raffi Omer
Dr Jason Lee the man with full knowledge and experience. Highly recommend this place. If don't want to drag your pain with continuous appointments please come and visit place your well see the difference in 2 sessions..
John
Jason addressed my neck and shoulder issue in just one session and is now making significant improvements to my lower back. His expertise is evident, and I highly recommend him.
Jason Fong

Have been visiting Jason at Westside Sports Chiropractic for several months now and am really impressed with his thorough assessment and treatment. He takes the time to understand the root cause and focuses on correcting that, not just a short term fix. I've seen a lot of improvement in my condition so far. Would highly recommend.

Tim Booth

Jason is fantastic. He knows his stuff and every issue I have brought to him has been solved with a logical approach and with confidence.I wish I had found him much sooner then I did.Highly recommended.

Travelling Soldier

Jason is a wholistic health professional. Saw him for a long standing shoulder pain. Clear ultrasounds and x-rays. He accurately diagnosed the underlying cause and offered rapid yet sustainable relief in just one session. Now looking at rehab with him in the on-site gym and continue to strength and conditioning long term. Glad I called in !

Oscar Marulanda

I’ve been in treatment with Jason for over a year. I went with a back injury and Jason basically “fixed” me. Along the way, he has provided guidance and advice about how to improve my back.Recently, I have sessions with Joey. His skills and experience are aligned with Jason’s which made you feel comfortable that either one of them is equally doing the best for you.I’ve recommended Jason to my mum, brother and brother-in-law. They all agree that Jason has miracle hands.

Daniel Eishou

Iv had 2 sessions with Jason, iv had neck/shoulder a shoulder issue for years now. He has no joke found the issue given me things to work on and only after 2 sessions it actually feels it's getting better. Very knowledgeable and the session is worth it.

Sarah T.

"I've been struggling with chronic shoulder pain for years, but after just a few sessions at Westside Sports Chiro, I've experienced a dramatic improvement. Their personalized approach and advanced techniques have truly made a difference in my recovery. I couldn't be happier with the results!"

John Lee

"I've been struggling with chronic shoulder pain for years, but after just a few sessions at Westside Sports Chiro, I've experienced a dramatic improvement. Their personalized approach and advanced techniques have truly made a difference in my recovery. I couldn't be happier with the results!"

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