Scar tissue adhesion is very resilient - it is very, very difficult to break up by 'crushing' it. It is about like trying to break up a piece of bubble gum by stepping on it repeatedly - it is just too elastic, resilient, and sticky. Only by generating tremendous amounts of tension can the adhesion be effectively and permanently removed.

ART differs from massage and rolfing in it that it uses friction and tension to tear the adhesion away, rather than to just smash it. While rolfing or massage can bring temporary relief to adhesion-related problems, ART will bring permanent resolution to adhesions.

Because ART uses much less pressure, and a lot more tension, there is less likelihood of damaging healthy tissue. Rolfing and aggressive deep tissue massage can quite often damage healthy tissue, and lead to internal bleeding and hence more adhesion.