Do you feel pain, discomfort or just not ‘quite right’ after surgery or an accident that left you with a scar? These sensations can be experienced even years after the incision has healed.
Scars whether from injury or surgery can be cosmetically unsightly or barely noticeable. However, a scar is far more than just a superficial mark on the surface of the body. Even those scars which are barely visible can cause issues underneath the skin including tightness, pain and dysfunction.
Whilst the body repairs relatively rapidly after injury/surgery, scars are comprised of a disarranged formation of fibrous collagenous tissue. Adhesions often form in the deeper tissues beneath the skin and attach to healthy tissues creating torque and tension. This may result in muscle weakness, restricted movement, limited circulation and even impaired nerve function. For example a stiff, sore hip might be caused by a hysterectomy or appendectomy scar.
ScarWork™ developed by Sharon Wheeler, is a whole body treatment that uses a variety of light touch, non-invasive techniques on and around the scar. Whilst it can help improve the visual appearance and the primary purpose of scar work is to:
Release Tightness
Loosening and releasing tight scar tissue to reduce discomfort, treatment can be beneficial on both new and old scar tissue
Help Restricted Mobility
Reducing tightness and encouraging mobility between the layers of skin, fascia and muscle, can often improve the client’s range of movement.
Reduce Sensitivity and Pain
Trapped nerves and irritated scar tissue can be a factor for prolonged discomfort. Therapeutic touch may reduce pain and help to normalise sensitivity
Stimulate and Boost Healing
Scar massage is often recommended by surgeons as a way to promote optimum scar healing after surgery and may minimise longer term complications
Support Emotional Wellbeing
Therapeutic touch can be powerful way to aid emotional recovery and help a person accept changes in their body after a surgery or accident
ScarWork can be booked as a stand-alone treatment or incorporated into a regular massage session
Scarwork is not suitable for keloid scars and whilst the following list in not conclusive the most commonly treated scars include those for:
- Knee/ hip replacements
- Appendectomy
- lumpectomy and breast reconstruction
- caesarean
- laparoscopy
- abdominal surgery
- drain tube sites
- hysterectomy
- facial scars
For more information on the techniques and to see the treatment in use visit: www.wheelerfascialwork.com