Scar Release

“Scar tissue is fibrous tissue that forms when normal tissue is destroyed by disease, injury or surgery”
(National Cancer Institute)

Scar tissue is made of collagen, a protein that helps hold the body together. The difference between our normal, healthy collagen and scar tissue is that scar tissue is laid down in random, haphazard ways with reduced elasticity rather than in directions that help give your tissues strength.

Fibrous internal and external scar tissue can also reduce blood and lymph flow to the area, prolonging healing time further.

Scars can cause pain or discomfort, dragging sensations, fascial pulling and altered sensation due to adhesions and possible nerve damage or entrapment.

They can also have an effect on the whole body, limiting movement or causing compensatory issues in other areas.

 

So how can connective tissue physiotherapy / ScarWork help?

Whether scars are old or new they need to MOVE!

We will assess your scar and the issues you may be having and decided whether using more a traditional connective tissue mobilisation technique or ScarWork therapy (or a combination of both) may be most beneficial for you.

Connective tissue mobilisation is a technique that involves a range of manual techniques including massage, myofascial and soft tissue release, scar mobilisation and neuromuscular techniques in order to help clear scar tissue from its adjacent structures and align tissue in a more functional way to restore the tensile and elastic properties of the tissue, increase blood flow to promote healing, increase sensation while decreasing numbness and tingling and improve overall range of movement and discomfort levels.

ScarWork is not like traditional scar massage. It is rarely painful, even for new scars. It is used to improve feeling and functionality in the scar and surrounding tissues, creating better movement between layers of the skin, fascia and muscle. Treatments stimulate the circulation, lymphatic and nervous system to encourage renewed healing and promote tissue health. Visually, cosmetic changes can occur. Scars often appear smaller, lighter and less prominent but the emphasis is on the underlying tissue changes.  

Using a variety of specially developed movements, we will work on and around the scar. Although seemingly effortless, treatments can instigate whole body shifts where patterns of dysfunction caused by old or new injuries are released.

Multiple treatments may be needed to gain the most benefit and response to treatment will vary for each individual.

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Which scars can be treated?

All kinds of scars from very old to newly healed (once discharged from your doctor) can be treated. They could be the result of an operation, cosmetic surgery or an accident,  such as:

  • Caesarean section

  • Abdominal Hysterectomy

  • Bowel resection

  • Gynaecological investigations / laparoscopies

  • Breast surgery;  cosmetic & cancer-related surgeries, including; mastectomies, wide local excision (WLE) lumpectomies, mammoplasty, immediate and delayed breast reconstructions, latissimus dorsi reconstruction, TRAM and DIEP flap reconstruction, reconstruction following tissue expander and implant insertion, surgery in the armpit (axilla) including sentinel node biopsy and axillary node clearance 

  • Tummy tuck surgery

  • Oncological surgeries

  • Appendix removal

  • Gall bladder removal

  • Portacath and tube/drain sites

  • Knee replacement

  • Hip replacement

  • Skin grafts

  • Facial scarring

  • Foot surgery

  • Spinal surgery

  • Heart by-pass surgery

  • Achilles tendon surgery

  • And many more….

Contact us

If you would like to book an appointment please do so via the link below.