Soft tissues in the hand and upper extremity, including muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia, and nerves can develop adhesions (areas of dense collagen fibers) and scar tissue. This is the way the body responds to soft tissue injuries in the hand and wrist. They are a common source of pain, weakness, and motion restrictions in the fine motor movements required for daily activities. Adhesions and scar tissues form between tissues binding them together which can lead to dysfunction and pain in the hand and fingers. They can develop after a hand injury or repetitive motions like typing, gripping, or texting. Symptoms include numbness, tingling, aching, burning and weakness in the fingers, hand, and wrist. Scar tissue causes most problems like hand and wrist pain.

What is active release technique in hand therapy?

Active Release Technique is a movement-based soft tissue technique utilized by hand therapists to treat problems with muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia, and nerves of the hand and upper extremity. The focus is on releasing adhesions and bands of scar tissue to restore unhindered range of motion in the fingers and wrist, release trapped nerves, blood vessels and lymph tissues to restore hand function and relieve pain.

When utilized as part of a hand therapy plan of care, active release technique is used to restore fine motor function and movement, and reduce pain in the hand. This form of manual therapy involves having the patient move the affected hand tissue in specific patterns while the clinician manually applies pressure.

How does active release technique work in hand therapy?

Active release technique is both a diagnostic technique and a treatment for hand conditions. At your initial visit, the hand therapist will ask about your medical history including your specific hand problems, when they began and what you think caused them. Then they will conduct a hands-on evaluation and feel for adhesions and scar tissues in the hand, wrist, and forearm. When they can identify the locations of your pain and underlying adhesions and scar tissues, they will be able to diagnose the cause of your hand condition and to treat the problems with manual therapy. This process may be repeated each session to ensure the areas treated have resolved and to identify existing and new areas that require treatment. Following treatment it is important to participate in rehabilitation to ensure your hand symptoms are gone.

What hand conditions can be treated with active release technique?

Active release technique is most commonly used to treat hand and upper extremity conditions that are related to soft tissue damage, such as:

• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• De Quervain’s tenosynovitis
• Trigger finger
• Tendinitis of the wrist and hand
• Dupuytren’s contracture
• Epicondylitis (tennis and golfer’s elbow)
• Thoracic outlet syndrome
• Wrist sprains and strains
• Post-surgical hand scarring
• Nerve entrapment syndromes of the upper extremity
• Digital stenosing tenosynovitis
• Gamekeeper’s thumb
• Jersey finger
• Mallet finger
• Thumb arthritis
• Ulnar tunnel syndrome
• Guyon’s canal syndrome

Active release technique can also be used to treat other hand-related conditions, such as:

• Hand and wrist pain
• Difficulty with grip strength
• Limited finger mobility
• Numbness and tingling in the fingers
• Writer’s cramp
• Hand fatigue with repetitive tasks
• Recovery from hand surgery
• Cubital tunnel syndrome
• Radial tunnel syndrome
• Median nerve compression
• Ulnar nerve compression
• Repetitive strain injuries in the hand
• Ganglion cysts
• Scar tissue management post hand injury

Benefits include improved finger flexibility, wrist range of motion, and reduced hand pain. It can provide relief in as little as one session but typically requires several treatments. Active release technique is effective to enhance hand function for musicians, office workers, artists, and people with chronic hand pain due to overuse.

Schedule a consultation

When you or a loved one suffers from hand pain and dysfunction, contact CAO Sports Performance and Therapy to discover how Active Release Technique can improve your hand pain and quality of life. Our specialized hand therapists have offices in California, Leonardtown, and Waldorf, Maryland for your convenience.