What is a scar?
A scar, or cicatrix, is a healed wound.
Scar tissue forms when a healing process is initiated by tissue damage. Cells migrate to the area and secrete building blocks, namely collagen, to aid in repair. These fibers bind to the local structures to restore integrity, but in doing so, they also bind layers that were not previously joined and thus create an environment of reduced mobility and greater compressive forces.
What is scar tissue massage?
Scar tissue massage mobilizes the healed wound itself but more specifically it mobilizes all the layers of neighbouring healthy tissue that have been impacted by the healing process. Scar tissue massage also addresses tension patterns of compensation when we use our bodies differently during healing and when protecting an injury. In addition to improving mobility, reducing discomfort and balancing tone, scar tissue massage can aid in re-integration of a traumatized area after a period of dissociation during medical intervention and sometimes life-altering physical change. Scar tissue often leaves a body forever changed. Scar tissue massage helps the body acclimate and the person reclaim.
When can I begin treatment?
If a wound has had no complications that delay healing, then 6-8 weeks is a good timeline to begin scar tissue massage.
In the early weeks following tissue trauma, treatment is focused on aiding healthy healing to prevent scar tissue from becoming problematic. But well-established scar tissue can also benefit from scar tissue massage to improve the environment surrounding the fibrotic tissue of the scar itself, to help restore function in the layers of connective tissue that have been pulled into the scar during the healing process. While young scar tissue responds best, even well-established scar tissue can be mobilized effectively. Wounds that have had delayed or prolonged healing or that have been radiated will be assessed based on their unique circumstances. Reach out with any questions.
What can I expect from a treatment?
Much like a regular massage therapy session, a scar tissue treatment will begin with an interview that includes all history relevant to the affected area. Diagnostic and surgical reports are helpful. Clinical impressions from referring practitioners are also helpful. We assess the extent of scar tissue involvement, all symptoms related to the area, and together, we build a treatment plan based on your goals. An initial treatment is one hour including this interview time. Hands-on work is also similar to a regular massage therapy session but tends to be slower with more sustained pressure to specifically target connective tissue, the structure of scar tissue. In addition to any exercises given, care after a treatment usually involves gentle stretching, movement and warmth.
How many treatments will I need?
All scar tissue is unique.
Issues with simple scar tissue can sometimes be resolved in one treatment while complicated scar tissue, which may involve multiple surgeries and other factors such as infection, hematoma, seroma, and reconstruction, can take several treatments to be resolved. Scars that have been exposed to radiation therapy will have connective tissue damage and respond slower to treatment. The number of treatments needed is primarily guided by your outcome goals.
How can I best care for my new scar?
In the early weeks of scar development it is recommended to move your body within its comfort zone. Gentle self-massage is helpful. As the scar becomes stronger the comfort zone will increase and you can gently challenge the tissue at the edge of resistance with movement, massage and load. Once the site is fully healed, a natural moisturizer can be applied. There is no strong evidence of any one nutrient or product aiding in scar appearance or behaviour. Daily movement is best.
It is advised NOT to do 'cupping' on developing scar tissue and NOT to receive steroid injections into a developing scar as these interventions can cause localized tissue damage and compromise the integrity of the scar resulting in adverse outcomes. These interventions MAY be considered after the scar development is complete at one year.
