Active Release Technique (ART) — Gowanus, Brooklyn
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Active Release Technique (ART) — Gowanus, Brooklyn *
Active Release Technique (ART)
Brooklyn's go-to soft tissue technique for athletes who want real answers — not just symptom relief.
What Is Active Release Technique?
Active Release Technique — commonly called ART — is a hands-on soft tissue therapy that identifies and releases adhesions, scar tissue, and restrictions in muscles, tendons, fascia, and nerves. It's not massage and it's not a standard chiropractic adjustment. It's a precise, movement-based approach to finding exactly where tissue is stuck and freeing it.
ART works by combining manual contact with active patient movement. Dr. Fidler places tension on the affected tissue while guiding you through a specific motion — effectively working the restriction through its full range. Most patients feel a noticeable change within the first session.
What ART Treats
ART is effective for a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions, including:
Shoulder pain and rotator cuff issues
Hip flexor tightness and hip impingement
Knee pain and IT band syndrome
Plantar fasciitis and foot pain
Neck pain and headaches
Lower back pain and sciatica
Elbow issues including tennis and golfer's elbow
Carpal tunnel and wrist pain
Overuse injuries from CrossFit, Olympic lifting, pickleball, and running
Post-surgical scar tissue and chronic restrictions
Why Dr. Fidler's Approach Is Different
Dr. Fidler is full-body certified in Active Release Technique — meaning he can treat restrictions from head to foot, across every major muscle group, nerve pathway, and fascial plane. He doesn't rotate through a menu of generic treatments. He uses ART as part of a thorough movement-based evaluation to understand why you're restricted and where the issue is actually coming from — not just where it hurts.
Having spent 15+ years working with CrossFit athletes, Olympic lifters, pickleball players, and runners out of Gowanus, Brooklyn, Dr. Fidler understands the demands of training at a high level. He's not going to tell you to stop. He's going to figure out what's limiting you and fix it so you can get back to training smarter.
Every appointment is with Dr. Fidler directly — no aides, no handoffs, no different face each time. That continuity means your treatment evolves with your progress.
Is ART Right for You?
ART is a strong fit if:
You have a nagging injury that hasn't responded to rest or basic treatment
You feel tightness or restriction that limits your range of motion or performance
You've been told your pain is "just muscle tightness" but nothing has helped
You train regularly and want to address the root cause, not mask symptoms
You're coming back from a soft tissue injury and want to restore full function
ART may not be the primary approach if your issue is structural (e.g. disc herniation, fracture) — but Dr. Fidler will evaluate you fully and recommend the right combination of techniques for your specific situation.
Ready to Move Better?
Book a session with Dr. Fidler at Functional Rehab, located above CrossFit South Brooklyn at 597 DeGraw St, Gowanus, Brooklyn.