Scar Massage
What is Scar Massage?
Scar Massage naturally reintegrates scars into the matrix of healthy tissue that surrounds them.
Scarring is part of the healthy inflammatory response to tissue damage from a number of sources including: surgery, trauma, infection and radiation.When subjected to trauma, the body hastily lays down collagen fibers to form a patch of scar tissue. These fibers can overgrow and create adhesions that bind muscles, nerves, and even organs together. As part of the healing process, these fibers are meant to break down, but when they fail to the aftermath can be a lifetime of unresolved pain and dysfunction.
When tissues are bound together, they may pull on structures near or far from the site of the trauma, causing pain, numbness, decreased range of motion, and, in some cases, even life-threatening consequences. It’s estimated that 93% of surgical patients develop postoperative adhesions. Retracting an incision and exposing the internal structures to the air dries out tissues that are meant to slide past one another and sets them up to clump together when the incision is closed. While some of these adhesions are harmless, others can cause serious problems by strangling and blocking the bowels, or plugging the fallopian tubes, binding tissue together with bridges of overgrown collagen.
Fortunately, scar tissue is composed of strands of collagen with weak chemical bonds that can be dissolved with gentle guided pressure. For this reason, scar tissue and internal adhesions are ideally suited for hands-on treatment. After examining and creating a treatment plan for each scar, I employ a number of specialized massage techniques to soften scar tissue, make it more pliable, and to re-integrate it into the healthy tissue surrounding it.
Scar tissue therapy is appropriate for anyone who is unhappy with the appearance of a scar or is troubled by pain, numbness, diminished function or range of motion. It does not matter if a scar is recent or if you have had it for years, the tissue responds to treatment in both cases.
Scar Massage is effective in many situations including:
- Joint replacement Reconstructive Surgery
- C-section Skin cancer removal
- Hysterectomy Heart surgery
- Breast reduction Mastectomy
- Lumpectomy Mommy/Tummy Tuck
- Trauma Abdominal surgery
"- Joyce T.“Betsy did an amazing job. She was able to smooth out, loosen up and bring some feeling back into scar on my leg that had layers of scar tissue from three surgeries and created a safe place for me to release feelings related to the scar. Overall I would highly recommend Betsy and plan to return soon!”"
"- Carol S.“I have had a scar on the instep of my right foot for the last 40 years. After the original surgery, I never had any therapy performed. Even after all these years, there has always been a ridge with tightness. During my first session, the ridge flattened out. It was amazing! When I stood up my foot was flatter and the tightness was reduced. Each treatment has broken the scar down more and my foot feels completely different!”"
Benefits of Scar Massage
- Minimizes the appearance of scars
- Addresses internal adhesions and overgrowth of scar tissue
- Evens out color and surface appearance
- Increases sensation to a numb area
- Reduces pulling and itching at the site of the scar