Soft tissues techniques are used when a muscle, tendon, or ligament is overly tight, painful, or does not function properly. CCRC staff has extensive training in numerous soft tissue techniques;  namely Active Release Technique (ART), tool-assisted soft tissue technique, and Post-Isometric Relaxation (PIR). ART involves breaking up adhesions in the soft tissues by having the patient go through various motions while the doctor applies a very specific pressure to the area being treated. Tool-assisted technique uses instruments, rather than the doctor's hands, to apply pressure to break up adhesions. PIR is a muscle relaxation technique that has been found to be very effective at releasing tension in tight muscles as well as treating trigger points.