Active Release Technique Auckland

Active Release Technique (ART) Auckland | North Shore ART Therapy — AWC

Auckland Wellness Centre offers Active Release Technique (ART) at our North Shore clinic in Rosedale. Dr. Jun is ART-certified, treating muscle adhesions, scar tissue, and repetitive strain injuries through precise soft tissue manipulation. ART is effective for tennis elbow, carpal tunnel, plantar fasciitis, and shoulder impingement. ACC patients pay $40 — no GP referral required.

North Shore Auckland

Active Release Technique (ART) in North Shore Auckland

Precise soft tissue treatment for muscle adhesions, scar tissue, and repetitive strain injuries. ART-certified care at our Rosedale clinic — ACC covered, no GP referral required.

ART Certified Practitioner ACC Registered Provider No GP Referral Needed Open 7 Days
Book Online Call 09 600 1939
The Technique

What Is Active Release Technique (ART)?

Active Release Technique is a patented, evidence-based soft tissue treatment system developed by Dr. P. Michael Leahy. It targets the root cause of pain by identifying and breaking down adhesions — dense scar tissue that forms in muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia, and nerves following overuse, repetitive strain, or acute injury.

Unlike general massage, ART uses over 500 specific treatment protocols. The practitioner applies precisely directed tension to a tight structure while the patient moves the affected area through a controlled range of motion. This combination releases the adhesion at a biomechanical level, restoring normal tissue movement and nerve glide.

Results are typically felt within the first 1 to 6 sessions, making ART one of the most time-efficient soft tissue treatments available.

Why do adhesions form?

Adhesions develop when tissue is under-oxygenated due to repetitive micro-tears, sustained tension, or acute trauma. The body lays down scar tissue as a repair mechanism, but this scar tissue binds surrounding structures, reducing flexibility and causing pain or nerve compression.

How does ART differ from massage?

ART is condition-specific and protocol-driven. Each treatment targets a precise structure — a named muscle, nerve, or tendon — using a defined motion. General massage improves circulation and relaxation; ART resolves specific structural dysfunction.

Is ART recognised by ACC?

Yes. When delivered by an ACC-registered practitioner as part of an injury treatment plan, ART sessions are covered under ACC. At AWC you pay only the standard $40 co-payment per visit — no GP referral required.

Who Benefits

Conditions Treated with ART

ART is particularly effective for overuse and repetitive strain conditions that have not responded adequately to rest or general physiotherapy.

Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)
Golfer's Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis)
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
IT Band Syndrome
Plantar Fasciitis
Shin Splints
Shoulder Impingement Syndrome
Rotator Cuff Strains
Neck and Upper Trap Tension
Hip Flexor and Glute Tightness
Achilles Tendinopathy
Headaches from Cervical Adhesions
Your Treatment Journey

How ART Works at AWC

Each appointment follows a structured assessment-and-treatment sequence to ensure precision and measurable outcomes.

Initial Assessment and History

Dr. Jun reviews your injury history, movement patterns, and occupation demands. For ACC claims, the injury event is documented and the claim registered on the same day — no prior GP visit required.

Tissue and Movement Palpation

Using trained touch, the practitioner identifies areas of abnormal tissue texture, tightness, or movement restriction. Specific muscles, tendons, and nerves are tested individually against the patient's movement to locate adhesion sites.

Targeted ART Protocol Application

The practitioner applies direct tension to the affected structure while guiding the limb or body segment through a specific range of motion. Over 500 protocols exist — the correct one is selected based on the identified dysfunction, not a generic area.

Post-Treatment Reassessment

Range of motion, strength, and pain levels are reassessed immediately after treatment. Functional improvements are expected within the session. Home exercises may be prescribed to maintain tissue mobility between visits.

Progress and Discharge Planning

Most ART conditions resolve within 3 to 8 sessions. Once functional goals are met, a self-management plan is provided to prevent recurrence, especially for patients returning to sport or repetitive-demand work.

Meet Your Practitioner

ART Practitioner at AWC

JN

Dr. Jun

Sports and Disc Chiropractor — ART Certified

Dr. Jun holds full ART certification alongside 12 years of clinical experience. His practice focuses on sports injury, disc rehabilitation, and performance care. He uses ART as a primary soft tissue tool integrated with chiropractic adjustment where appropriate, addressing both the structural and muscular components of injury for faster, more durable recovery.

He also holds TPI (Titleist Performance Institute) certifications at multiple levels, SFMA, FMS, and CrossFit Trainer qualifications — providing one of the most comprehensive movement and soft tissue skill sets available in North Shore Auckland.

ART Certified NZCC Registered 12 Years Experience TPI Certified SFMA FMS Sports Injury Disc Rehabilitation
ACC Coverage

ART Under ACC — What You Pay

ACC Co-Payment

$40
Per visit — ACC registered patients
  • No GP referral required
  • Claim registered same-day
  • Available to all NZ visa holders
  • Applies to sports and workplace injuries

Private Fees

$105
Initial consultation
  • $70 follow-up visits
  • Comprehensive assessment included
  • Combined ART + chiropractic available
  • Flexible appointment times, open 7 days

If you are unsure whether your injury qualifies for ACC, call us on 09 600 1939 and our team will advise you before your appointment.

Related Services

Sports Chiropractic

Comprehensive injury diagnosis and rehabilitation for athletes at all levels. Combining structural correction, ART, and performance rehab.

Learn more →

Shoulder Pain Treatment

Targeted care for impingement, rotator cuff injuries, and frozen shoulder. ART and chiropractic combined for lasting relief.

Learn more →

Soft Tissue Massage

Therapeutic massage targeting chronic muscle tension, postural strain, and recovery support between active treatment sessions.

Learn more →
Frequently Asked

ART Therapy — Common Questions

Most patients with a clearly defined overuse injury see significant improvement within 3 to 6 sessions. Chronic conditions involving multiple adhesion sites or long-standing scar tissue may require 6 to 10 sessions. Progress is reassessed at each visit, so your plan is continually refined.
ART can feel uncomfortable during the release, particularly when a dense adhesion is targeted. Most patients describe it as a "good hurt" — intense but productive. The discomfort is brief and typically subsides within the session. The area may feel mildly tender for 24 to 48 hours afterward, similar to post-exercise soreness.
For many patients with mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome caused by soft tissue entrapment rather than bony structural compression, ART can meaningfully reduce symptoms — including numbness, tingling, and wrist weakness — without surgery. ART releases the median nerve along its full pathway from the forearm through the carpal tunnel. Results vary, and a thorough assessment is needed to determine whether ART is the right approach for your presentation.
Yes. Myofascial release applies sustained pressure to broad fascial areas using slow, sustained holds. ART is protocol-specific — the practitioner contacts a precise point on a named tissue and guides the body through a defined motion simultaneously. ART is faster-acting, structure-specific, and backed by a certification process that ensures consistent, standardised technique.
No referral is required. Auckland Wellness Centre is a direct ACC-registered provider. You can book directly and we will register your ACC claim on your first visit. This applies to sports injuries, workplace accidents, and any injury that occurred in New Zealand — regardless of your visa or residency status.
Book Today

Ready to Resolve Your Soft Tissue Injury?

Dr. Jun is available at our Rosedale clinic. ACC patients pay $40 per visit with no GP referral required. Book online or call us directly.

Book Online Now 09 600 1939
E2 / 27 William Pickering Drive, Rosedale, Auckland 0632 022 621 8826 Open 7 days — Mon to Fri 7:30 AM–9 PM, Sat–Sun 9 AM–5 PM